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UN memorial ceremony faces scrutiny over honoring alleged Hamas commander
The NGO UN Watch has raised allegations regarding a United Nations memorial ceremony held in New York on June 8. The organization claims that Imad El Samhouri, a deceased UNRWA employee honored during the event, was also a field commander for Hamas.
According to UN Watch, video footage depicts El Samhouri, who served as a teacher and principal for UNRWA in the Gaza Strip, appearing in combat gear with weapons and emerging from Hamas tunnels. The NGO identifies him as a commander within the Muhammad-al-Shamali Battalion of the Al-Qassam Brigades.
During the ceremony, UN Secretary-General António Guterres and Annalena Baerbock participated in lighting an 'eternal flame' to honor 136 deceased UN staff members. UN Watch director Hillel Neuer has formally called on both Guterres and Baerbock to retract the honor and issue an apology for the inclusion of El Samhouri in the official commemoration.
Entities
Annalena Baerbock · Antonio Guterres · Imad El Samhouri · UN Watch · UNRWA · United Nations
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how well corroborated each claim is across sources.
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Hillel Neuer, director of UN Watch, called on António Guterres and Annalena Baerbock to retract the commemoration. apollo-news.net
- [● 3 SOURCES] The NGO UN Watch alleges that Imad El Samhouri was a Hamas field commander in addition to his role at UNRWA. www.focus.de · apollo-news.net · www.tichyseinblick.de
- [● 2 SOURCES] The United Nations held a ceremony in New York to honor 136 deceased employees. www.focus.de · www.tichyseinblick.de
- [● 2 SOURCES] Imad El Samhouri was identified as a field commander of the Muhammad-al-Shamali Battalion of the Kassam Brigades. apollo-news.net · www.tichyseinblick.de
- [○ 1 SOURCE] UN Secretary-General António Guterres stated it was 'the privilege of my life' to have worked with people like those honored. apollo-news.net
- [● 3 SOURCES] Videos show El Samhouri in combat gear with weapons and emerging from Hamas tunnels. www.focus.de · apollo-news.net · www.tichyseinblick.de
- [○ 1 SOURCE] UN Watch director Hillel Neuer called on UN Secretary-General António Guterres and Annalena Baerbock to retract the commemoration. apollo-news.net
- [● 3 SOURCES] The NGO UN Watch claims that Imad El Samhouri, a former UNRWA teacher and principal, was also a field commander for Hamas. www.focus.de · apollo-news.net · www.tichyseinblick.de
- [● 2 SOURCES] UN Watch identified El Samhouri as a field commander of the Muhammad-al-Shamali Battalion of the Al-Qassam Brigades. apollo-news.net · www.tichyseinblick.de
- [● 3 SOURCES] Video footage shows El Samhouri in combat gear with weapons and emerging from Hamas tunnels. www.focus.de · apollo-news.net · www.tichyseinblick.de
- [● 3 SOURCES] The UN held a memorial ceremony in New York on June 8 to honor 136 deceased employees. www.focus.de · apollo-news.net · www.tichyseinblick.de
- [○ 1 SOURCE] António Guterres stated during the ceremony that it was 'the privilege of my life' to have worked with people like those being honored. apollo-news.net