UN Aid Chief Demands Evidence over Israeli claims OCHA linked to Hamas
In a letter to the UN Security Council, Fletcher challenged remarks made by Israeli Ambassador to the UN Danny Danon, who earlier this week accused OCHA of abandoning neutrality and claimed that some of its employees were affiliated with the Palestinian group that governs the Gaza Strip.
'I expect the Israeli authorities to immediately share any evidence that led them to make such claims to the council,' Fletcher wrote.
He noted that this was the first time 'Israel' had raised such serious accusations against OCHA and warned of the security implications for humanitarian personnel on the ground.
Danon had announced that Israel would impose heightened scrutiny on OCHA staff, including conducting security vetting on hundreds of employees and limiting their entry visas to a month.
However, no documentation or evidence was provided to substantiate the claims.
Fletcher defended OCHA's operations, emphasizing that the agency adheres strictly to its humanitarian principles, which include neutrality, impartiality, and independence.
He also clarified that as the de facto governing authority in Gaza, Hamas oversees all administrative and logistical systems, making contact with its institutions inevitable for aid delivery.
The Israeli accusations come amid escalating tensions between the Israeli government and several UN agencies.
In recent months, 'Israel' has refused visa renewals for senior officials at OCHA, UNRWA, and the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), moves widely seen by UN officials as efforts to undermine humanitarian oversight.
The standoff unfolds as Gaza faces catastrophic conditions under a months-long Israeli blockade and continued Israeli genocide against civilians in the Gaza Strip.
According to UN agencies, over 59,000 Palestinians have been killed since October 2023, and humanitarian groups warn that famine, mass displacement, and healthcare collapse are pushing the enclave toward total societal breakdown.
International aid officials fear that undermining the credibility and operations of humanitarian agencies like OCHA could further obstruct the already fragile flow of aid into Gaza.
Fletcher called for renewed cooperation and respect for the essential work of humanitarian organizations operating in conflict zones.
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