USAID watchdog finds deficiencies in UN probe of UNRWA staff

A previously unpublished December 2025 review by the USAID Office of Inspector General has identified “major deficiencies” in the United Nations’ internal investigation into UNRWA employees accused of involvement in the October 7 Hamas attack.

The report found that the UN Office of Internal Oversight Services (OIOS) utilized a narrow scope, focusing primarily on whether individual employees directly participated in the attack rather than investigating broader membership in Hamas. Furthermore, the watchdog noted that investigators rejected intercepted Hamas communications and intelligence provided by Israel, citing an inability to independently authenticate the material. The USAID review concluded there was “no evidence to suggest that the authenticity of the materials collected by the Israeli government should be questioned.”

The findings have prompted criticism from Western diplomats and political figures. Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley has formally demanded an explanation from the United Nations regarding the probe. Additionally, the report suggests that Western donor nations may reconsider future financial commitments to UNRWA following these conclusions.