UNRWA Chief: UNRWA Didn’t Know What Was Under Its Gaza HQ

UNRWA’s Commissioner-General Philippe Lazzarini addressed the unsettling discovery of terror tunnels beneath the organization’s main headquarters in Gaza tonight.

Using a bullet-point format on X, Lazzarini asserted, “UNRWA was unaware of what lies beneath its Gaza headquarters.”

He acknowledged, “UNRWA became aware of media reports regarding a tunnel beneath our Gaza headquarters.”

Lazzarini clarified, “UNRWA staff vacated the Gaza City headquarters on 12 October in compliance with Israeli evacuation orders amidst escalating bombardment. Since our departure, the premises have remained unused, and we are not privy to any activities occurring there.”

Regarding reports of Israeli troops within the UNRWA Headquarters, Lazzarini stated, “We have gleaned from media accounts that the Israeli Army has stationed personnel within our Gaza City headquarters. However, we cannot confirm or comment further on these reports.”

He emphasized, “During periods of ‘no active conflict,’ UNRWA conducts quarterly inspections of its premises. The most recent inspection of the UNRWA Gaza premises was completed in September 2023.”

Lazzarini stressed, “UNRWA is a humanitarian organization without military or security expertise, making it incapable of conducting military inspections beneath its premises.”

He highlighted past actions, stating, “Historically, whenever suspicious activity near or beneath UNRWA premises was discovered, we promptly lodged protest letters with the relevant parties, including Gaza’s de facto authorities (Hamas) and Israeli authorities. These incidents were consistently documented in annual reports presented to the General Assembly and made public.”

Regarding recent media reports, Lazzarini called for an independent inquiry, noting, “Regrettably, conducting such an inquiry is currently impossible due to Gaza’s status as an active conflict zone.”

He added, “UNRWA has not received official communication from Israeli Authorities regarding the alleged tunnel.”

In response, IDF spokesman to the international press, MAJ Nir Dinar, remarked, “Lazzarini needs a lesson in taking responsibility.”

Quoting himself from a New York Times article, Dinar remarked, “As Ronen Bergman quoted me, ‘You have to be very naive to think that the UNRWA personnel did not know what was happening under their feet.'”

Reacting to Lazzarini’s statement, retired Lt. Col. Peter Lerner, who resumed service with the IDF spokesman following the October 7, 2023, Hamas attack on Israel, commented, “All UNRWA, Lazzarini, and Tom White Gaza needed to do was monitor the power and water bills.”

Lerner advised, “A media tip: Commence your tweet with concern: ‘I am deeply troubled by reports exposing the violation of UN premises sanctity by Hamas authorities in Gaza.'”

He questioned, “Will you condemn Hamas for jeopardizing your operations and the people you serve, or will you continue blaming Israel for your shortcomings? As a former humanitarian officer with UNRWA, I once esteemed your mission and dedication, and had many friends among your staff. Today, I feel deceived, echoing sentiments shared by governments that have suspended your funds, alleging, at the very least, willful ignorance.”

COGAT quoted Lazzarini’s statement, responding, “You were aware.”

They pointed out, “Constructing a tunnel requires more than four months. We invited senior UN officials to witness firsthand, and in previous meetings with you and other UN representatives, we flagged Hamas’s exploitation of UNRWA headquarters.”

They accused, “You chose to disregard these facts, perhaps to later disavow them.”

{Matzav.com Israel}