Israel’s official X account shared video on Tuesday of armed gunmen — who were believed to be Hamas terrorists — inside a United Nations-affiliated Palestinian aid compound in Rafah.
In the video, which was captured by an Israel Defense Forces drone, showed the gunmen casually walking about inside the UNRWA compound and interacting with people who were standing near and operating vehicles labeled “UN.”
Lieutenant Colonel Peter Lerner also shared the video, challenging the United Nations to answer for what it showed.
“Gunmen, likely #Hamas terrorists, hanging out at an @UNRWA warehouse in eastern #Rafah a few days ago and identified by an @IDF drone. The @UN needs to answer some serious questions. Imagine what would’ve happened if we were to target them? The hypocrisy is astounding,” he posted.
WATCH:
Gunmen, likely #Hamas terrorists, hanging out at an @UNRWA warehouse in eastern #Rafah a few days ago and identified by an @IDF drone.
The @UN needs to answer some serious questions.
Imagine what would’ve happened if we were to target them?
The hypocrisy is astounding. pic.twitter.com/sCHiKZhZpQ— Lt. Col. (R) Peter Lerner (@LTCPeterLerner) May 14, 2024
Later in the video, the gunmen could be seen shooting at people outside the compound who appeared to be civilians.
“When will the world realize that @UNRWA is part of the problem, and definitely not part of the solution?” Naama Levy asked.
When will the world realize that @UNRWA is part of the problem, and definitely not part of the solution? https://t.co/F6TgiJWMaH
— Naama Levy (@_NaamaLevy) May 14, 2024
Some critics claimed that the gunmen were acting as police in an attempt to ensure that humanitarian aid was kept secure until it could be delivered to those who needed it — but according to the organization’s own website, UNRWA has a strict “no guns” policy dating back more than a decade.
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“UNRWA has reinforced and continues to implement its robust procedures to maintain the neutrality of all its premises, including a strict no-weapons policy and regular inspections of its installations, to ensure they are only used for humanitarian purposes,” the organization posted in a press release in 2014 after Hamas rockets were discovered hidden under a school in Gaza.
“Palestinian civilians in Gaza rely on UNRWA to provide humanitarian assistance and shelter. At all times, and especially during escalations of violence, the sanctity and integrity of UN installations must be respected,” the statement continued.
