UN leaders honor fallen UNRWA staffer identified as Hamas commander

United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres and UN General Assembly President Annalena Baerbock participated in a memorial ceremony on June 8, 2026, to honor fallen UNRWA personnel. During the event, an eternal flame was lit as the names of the deceased were read, including that of Imad El Samhouri.

Reports indicate that El Samhouri, who served as a teacher and school principal for UNRWA, was also a Hamas field commander in the Muhammad al-Shamali Battalion of the Al-Qassam Brigades. Footage released by Hamas shows El Samhouri in combat gear, and watchdog group UN Watch alleges he used UN-funded classrooms to recruit children into terror networks.

Hillel Neuer, Executive Director of UN Watch, has called for a formal retraction of the tribute and a public apology to the victims of Hamas. The group highlighted concerns regarding the infiltration of UNRWA staff by terror operatives, noting that hundreds of agency employees have allegedly been linked to such groups.