Experts in the Middle East are calling on President Donald Trump to exclude the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) from his Gaza reconstruction initiative, citing its controversial associations with the terrorist group Hamas and concerns over its effectiveness. This call comes amid the implementation of Trump’s 20-point peace plan aimed at resolving the conflict between Hamas and Israel. The decision to exclude UNRWA from the reconstruction process has stirred significant debate, with proponents and critics offering varied perspectives on the agency’s role in the region.
Hugh Dugan, a former National Security Council official, expressed strong concerns about UNRWA’s operational inefficiencies and its potential to exacerbate the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. He argued that while the agency was originally founded to provide aid to Palestinian refugees post-1948, it has since evolved into a vast bureaucratic entity that has extended its mandate beyond its original purpose. Dugan noted that over the decades, UNRWA has expanded its refugee status to include the descendants of original refugees, a change that he claims has contributed to the prolonged conflict and the increased number of Palestinian refugees, now estimated at over five million.
Furthermore, Dugan highlighted the agency’s alleged support for Hamas, which he stated has led to the perpetuation of the conflict. He suggested that the current approach to humanitarian aid distribution should be restructured to ensure that it is independent and free from militant influence, citing the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation as an example of an effective alternative. This foundation, he pointed out, has successfully distributed aid without the interference of militant groups, thus providing a more neutral and efficient relief effort.
The controversy surrounding UNRWA has gained further traction with recent claims by the U.S. State Department that the agency is irredeemably compromised and should be dismantled. These claims have led to calls for an end to U.S. taxpayer funding of UNRWA, which has been a source of significant financial support for the agency. However, UNRWA has denied these allegations, emphasizing that the claims have not been substantiated and warning of the potential consequences for its staff and the delivery of aid to those in need.
Former IDF spokesperson Jonathan Conricus has also weighed in on the matter, asserting that UNRWA has been a facilitator for Hamas’s military activities. He stated that the agency’s resources have been used to support the militant group’s operations, including the production of weapons and the training of fighters. Conricus’s comments reflect a broader sentiment among critics who believe that UNRWA’s presence in Gaza has been detrimental to the region’s stability and the prospects of a lasting peace.
The situation remains complex as the international community continues to grapple with the multifaceted challenges involved in addressing the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. While some advocate for the continued involvement of UNRWA, others argue that its current structure and operations are incompatible with the needs of the region. The debate over UNRWA’s role in Trump’s peace plan highlights the intricate interplay between humanitarian efforts and political considerations, as the pursuit of a stable and peaceful Gaza requires a multifaceted approach that addresses both immediate needs and long-term solutions.