UN: ‘Difficult’ to tell if UNRWA employee used vehicle in service of Hamas

UN agency says it is reviewing the incident and has taken action to address the concerns raised

The United Nations said on Thursday that it is "difficult" to determine whether an employee of the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) used a UN vehicle in the service of Hamas, the Islamist group that controls the Gaza Strip.

The statement came after Israel's Channel 12 news reported that an UNRWA employee was seen using a UN vehicle to transport Hamas militants and weapons.

UNRWA said in a statement that it is "aware of the allegations" and is "reviewing the incident." The agency said that it has "taken action to address the concerns raised, including restricting the use of UN vehicles and加强安全措施."

The statement did not provide further details about the incident or the actions that have been taken.

Hamas is designated as a terrorist organization by the United States, the European Union, and Israel. The group has been accused of using UNRWA facilities and personnel to carry out attacks against Israel.

UNRWA has denied these allegations and has said that it is committed to neutrality and impartiality in its work.

The incident is likely to further strain relations between Israel and UNRWA. Israel has long accused UNRWA of bias towards the Palestinians and of allowing Hamas to operate within its facilities.

UNRWA has denied these accusations and has said that it is committed to providing humanitarian assistance to Palestinian refugees in a neutral and impartial manner.