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
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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
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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
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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