Report recommends dismantling UNRWA due to ties with Hamas from October 7

US State Department Report on UNRWA Highlights Concerns

The US State Department has released a troubling report to Congress regarding the UN Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA), which provides support to Palestinians in the Gaza Strip. The document, which was exclusively obtained by Fox News Digital, indicates that the agency is deeply entwined with terrorism, leading the administration to push for its complete dismantling.

The assessment states that “the administration has determined that UNRWA has irredeemably compromised itself,” and this raises serious questions about its future. There’s considerable concern over the agency’s connections to Hamas, especially in light of a dossier that details these links.

In a related note, documents from the State Department reveal that there were requests in March 2025 for UNRWA to return all balances of US funds. However, the Washington Office of UNRWA has indicated that this action has not yet been completed. Furthermore, in May, the State Department mentioned plans to halt US participation in UNRWA activities.

In January 2024, the US government ceased all funding to UNRWA, and it hasn’t resumed support since, as reported by the Washington Free Beacon. Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s call for the disbandment of UNRWA has intensified scrutiny on the agency, prompting nations like Japan and Germany to reconsider their involvement.

Since 2021, the Biden administration has allocated $1 billion to UNRWA, prior to the funding freeze that took place later. Additionally, there have been reports of UNRWA employees allegedly involved in acts of terrorism.

Israeli Defense Minister Joab Garant noted that many UNRWA staff participated in actions against Israeli civilians during the October 7 atrocities. An Israeli ambassador to the UN has advocated for shutting down UNRWA operations in Jerusalem, reflecting a strong sentiment within Israel about the agency’s operations.

Moreover, in August 2024, reports surfaced that UNRWA terminated employees thought to be connected to a Hamas attack that resulted in the deaths of over 1,200 individuals, including more than 30 Americans.

The Israeli Knesset has also made significant moves against UNRWA, reinforcing a ban on the agency due to its alleged support for Hamas. The US categorizes Hamas as a terrorist organization, and various stakeholders have provided ample evidence over the years detailing UNRWA’s connections to Palestinian terrorism and anti-Semitism.