Victims of the October 7 Hamas attacks on southern Israel have filed a lawsuit in US Federal Court, accusing the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) of orchestrating a large-scale money laundering operation. The suit alleges that significant amounts of humanitarian aid intended for Gaza residents were diverted to Hamas.
The Jerusalem Press Club organized a Zoom call Monday with attorney Gavi Mairone, who is representing the plaintiffs.
Mairone unveiled shocking details of over a decade of alleged fraud and corruption within UNRWA’s aid distribution network. The lawsuit claims this scheme not only enriched Hamas but also funded terrorism, playing a pivotal role in the October 7 attacks.
The attorney explained that specialized security trucks transported millions of dollars in cash into Gaza. Physical cash payments to smugglers for weaponry predate 2018 and continue today. After 2018, Qatar began transferring $10 million monthly in cash, and UNRWA added another $20 million, making up two-thirds of the cash flow. In contrast, the Palestinian Authority pays Gaza employees via wire transfers through banks.
According to Mairone, this occurs “with the consent of the Israeli government. These trucks are driven from Ramallah to Gaza. Now, the question is why is cash [dollars] being used in this one location and in all the other locations they use local currency?”
The lawsuit reflects broader concerns within the international community about the governance and accountability of aid organizations in conflict zones. The allegations against UNRWA highlight the urgent need for robust oversight and mechanisms to prevent the misuse of humanitarian funds, thereby safeguarding the integrity of aid operations and the well-being of vulnerable populations.
As the lawsuit progresses through the US Federal Court system, it is likely to ignite debates on international aid policies, accountability frameworks, and the need to uphold humanitarian principles in conflict-affected regions. The outcome of this legal battle could reshape how humanitarian aid is administered in Gaza and prompt reforms aimed at restoring trust in the global aid architecture.
The lawsuit alleges that financial support from UNRWA significantly aided Hamas. The document details how UNRWA knowingly allowed Hamas to construct command centers, attack tunnels, rocket launchers, and bunkers beneath its facilities, including headquarters, schools, medical clinics, and offices.
Payment practices reveal that Hamas members, many of whom participated in terror attacks and the torture of hostages, were knowingly hired by UNRWA as staff. This led to consequences such as the radicalization and indoctrination of UNRWA schools using Hamas-approved textbooks and curricula.