- The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) announced that it had discovered a Hamas complex under the headquarters of the United Nations agency in Gaza.
- The IDF claimed its soldiers discovered “electrical infrastructure” in the tunnels beneath the building.
- Reporters from news organizations such as the Wall Street Journal visited the tunnel.
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) announced that it had discovered a Hamas complex beneath the headquarters of the United Nations aid agency in Gaza.
in post The Israeli Defense Forces announced on X (formerly Twitter) that its members had discovered an entrance to a tunnel near a school run by the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA).
It is connected to a tunnel beneath UN headquarters in Gaza City, where troops say they encountered an “electrical infrastructure” lined with computer servers, drawing power from UNRWA buildings.
Earlier this week, IDF invited journalists from news outlets including The Wall Street Journal (WSJ) to view the site.
The visit revealed that at least part of the tunnel ran under the headquarters' courtyard. However, there was no conclusive evidence that Hamas militants carried out operations inside the tunnels, the Associated Press reported.
The WSJ report showed a photo of a room with eight black server racks “inside what Israeli military officials claim is a Hamas intelligence hub.”
Hamas, Palestinian armed forces The Gaza Strip, which has ruled the strip since 2007, has built a military network of more than 310 miles of tunnels beneath the enclave, Reuters reported in December. This is approximately half the length of the New York subway.
The Israeli military has named this underground world the “Gaza Metro.”
UNRWA said in a statement that the report “deserves an independent investigation,” adding that it also has “military and security expertise and the ability to conduct military inspections of what is or may be on the premises.” There was no such thing,” he added.
This came after the agency faced accusations that several of its employees were involved in the Oct. 7 Hamas attack on Israel that killed about 1,200 people.
In a statement posted on the organization's website, UN Secretary-General António Guterres said he was “horrified” by the “very serious allegations” involving 12 staff members.
The company has already taken action against these 12 people, adding that 10 of them have been identified and their contracts terminated, while the remaining two have died.
It added: “UN personnel involved in acts of terrorism will be held accountable, including through criminal prosecution.”
UNRWA plays a key role in facilitating the delivery of international aid to Gazans, while also supporting the provision of services such as housing and schooling.
Israel's attack on Gaza has caused a humanitarian crisis in the region, leading to “the highest population facing food insecurity ever classified”, the British Red Cross said in a report.
About 75% of the Gaza Strip's population of around 2.2 million people have also been evacuated, the report added.
International alarm is rising ahead of Israel's planned attack on Rafah, one of the last places of refuge for Gazans fleeing the conflict.
Business Insider has contacted UNRWA for comment.
