UNRWA REACTS STRONGLY AFTER HAMAS SEIZES GAZA

C O N F I D E N T I A L JERUSALEM 000247 SIPDIS NEA FOR FRONT OFFICE AND IPA. NSC FOR SHAPIRO/PASCUAL E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/05/2024 TAGS: KWBG PGOV PREL PTER PHUM KPAL IS SUBJECT: UNRWA REACTS STRONGLY AFTER HAMAS SEIZES GAZA RELIEF SUPPLIES Classified By: Consul General Jake Walles, per reasons 1.4 (b) and (d) ¶1. (C) Summary. UNRWA announced that police in Gaza seized assistance intended for 500 refugee families from an UNRWA distribution center in the Gaza Strip. This happened after UNRWA refused to coordinate with the Hamas-run "Ministry of Social Affairs." Director of UNRWA Gaza Operations John Ging denied Hamas claims that the goods were stored in a Fatah facility. He said UNRWA maintains a "zero tolerance" policy with Hamas in order to protect UNRWA's ability to serve refugees. End Summary. GAZA POLICE SEIZE UNRWA SUPPLIES -------------- ¶2. (C) UNRWA sources said that police in Gaza forcibly confiscated 406 food parcels and 3,500 blankets from an UNRWA distribution center in the Beach (Shati) refugee camp February 3. They seized the goods after UNRWA staff refused to turn them over to the Hamas-run "Ministry of Social Affairs" earlier that day. UNRWA issued a statement condemning the act and demanding the return of the food and blankets, which were intended for 500 families. The announcement did not refer to Hamas by name, but rather to "Gaza police personnel." HAMAS CLAIMS GOODS INTENDED FOR FATAH USE -------------- ¶3. (C) A Hamas spokesman in Gaza denied UNRWA's accusations February 4, saying that the food and blankets were being stored in a Fatah-affiliated facility and were intended to benefit non-refugee Fatah members. He said Hamas authorized UNRWA to work only with refugees, and that all other assistance must be coordinated through the "Ministry of Social Affairs." UNRWA MAINTAINING ZERO TOLERANCE WITH HAMAS -------------- ¶4. (C) UNRWA Director of Gaza Operations John Ging told RefCoord February 4 that UNRWA shut down distributions in Beach Camp until Hamas returns the goods. He said UNRWA maintains a "zero tolerance" policy with Hamas in order to preserve its integrity and ability to operate. He said the goods were stored in an UNRWA facility with no Fatah affiliation. He said he believes that the security forces took uncoordinated action in this case because Hamas leadership remains in hiding. Ging added that UNRWA and Hamas are engaged in a propaganda war, with Hamas alleging that UNRWA should share its relief supplies and UNRWA publicizing the fact that Hamas is stealing aid intended for refugees. WALLES