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Iranians' secret Russia visit aimed at validating 'nuclear weapon design'

ErezL — Wed, 19 Nov 2025 12:38:21 +0000

A second clandestine visit by Iranian nuclear scientists to Russia occurred last year, aiming to secure technology with potential weapons applications, the Financial Times reported. The trip involved the SPND, an Iranian military unit accused by the US of leading nuclear weapons research, and Russian military institutes.

Documents obtained by the Financial Times provide the first evidence of Moscow engaging Tehran on nuclear knowledge. Jim Lamson, a former CIA analyst, told the outlet that Tehran's experts were "seeking laser technology and expertise that could help them validate a nuclear weapon design without conducting a nuclear explosive test".

Radar facilities dominate the skyline at the nuclear power plant in Bushehr, Iran (Front: Russian President Vladimir Putin) / EPA/EVGENIA NOVOZHENINA / POOL; AP Photo/Hasan Sarbakhshian

Iran insists its program is peaceful, while Russia opposes a nuclear-armed Islamic Republic. Before the US and Israel bombed Iran's facilities in June, Washington believed weaponization remained deactivated but noted shortened timelines for potential bomb construction.

DamavandTec, an SPND front company, arranged the St Petersburg travel for Iranian laser specialists last November, documents reviewed by the Financial Times show. They met with Laser Systems, a US-sanctioned Russian firm working on dual-use technology.

Ali Kalvand and DamavandTec had organized previous meetings using diplomatic passports, an August Financial Times investigation found. The US State Department sanctioned them in October for attempting "to procure items applicable to the development of nuclear explosive devices from foreign suppliers" and noting they had "facilitated travel for Iranian nuclear experts to Russia".

The Iran-Israel war took place in June 2025 (Pictured: The Iranian flag next to a missile in Iran in 2008) / AP Photo/Fars News Agency, Vahid Reza Alaei

Kalvand arranged this second trip following an invitation from Laser Systems director Dmitry Vasilyev for "technological collaboration". While the invitation addressed DamavandTec employees, records reviewed by the Financial Times identify the visitors as physicists from defense-linked Iranian universities.

Andrey Savin of Laser Systems visited Tehran in February 2025 to meet SPND affiliates. Laser Systems holds FSB permits for work on state secrets. DamavandTec operates as a procurement broker for restricted components, according to the US State Department.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei (Getty Images; Oren Ben Hakoon)

The Financial Times previously reported DamavandTec's attempts to acquire tritium for boosting warhead yields. Iran denies seeking weapons. Nicole Grajewski of Carnegie Endowment told the outlet the meetings offer "strong evidence that Russia was assisting Iran in its nuclear weapons-related research, with state-affiliated Russian institutions providing dual-use technology and knowledge transfer".

"This activity looks like it is state sanctioned at a high level on the Russian and Iranian sides," Grajewski added. These revelations follow US-Israeli strikes that damaged but did not destroy Iran's infrastructure, despite Donald Trump claiming the program was "obliterated".

Late September saw the enforcement of penalties after France, Germany, and the UK activated a "snapback" mechanism, referencing Iran's "significant non-performance" of its nuclear commitments.

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Why did Netanyahu's plane take a detour en route to UN?

ErezL — Thu, 25 Sep 2025 10:25:11 +0000

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's official plane, Wing of Zion, took off early Thursday from Israel on its way to the UN General Assembly in New York to participate in the world leaders' annual General Debate – but its flight path has drawn particular attention.

Unlike the usual route that passes over many countries in central and northern Europe, the plane adhered to the most southern course possible.

Wing of Zion after takeoff from Israel during its testing (inset: the flight path on Flight Radar) / Yoav Weiss/IAI

According to flight tracking data, so far the plane passed solely through the airspace of Greece and Italy, then continued westward toward the Atlantic Ocean through the Strait of Gibraltar – without crossing any other foreign territory. This constituted an unusual step that pointed to the delicate political and legal situation of the prime minister.

The plane did not pass through countries that have not explicitly rejected the International Criminal Court's arrest warrant against Netanyahu, possibly over concern that certain European states might take action against Netanyahu following recent calls to enforce those international warrants.

Aviation experts noted that such a course is particularly unusual since it extends the flight by about 600 kilometers (373 miles) and creates operational constraints, but in this case the security and legal considerations appear to outweigh other concerns.

As it entered the Atlantic Ocean through the Strait of Gibraltar, Wing of Zion was expected to continue directly west toward the east coast of the United States, where Netanyahu will land ahead of his scheduled speech at the UN General Assembly in New York.

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Senior UN officials accused of violating neutrality in new anti-Israel association

adin — Tue, 16 Sep 2025 08:00:19 +0000

A new and unprecedented association among UN staff, under the name "UN Staff for Gaza", is stirring echoes in the organization's corridors. The association, which defines itself as a "private initiative" not officially affiliated with the UN, has already succeeded in enlisting prominent names in its ranks. Among them is the former UN Secretary-General, Ban Ki-moon, who agreed to serve as honorary chairman.

In his letter of joining, Ki-moon stated that it is a vital initiative in light of "acts that may amount to war crimes and crimes against humanity against the civilian population in Gaza".

Despite the official definition, behind the group stand senior employees in the UN bureaucracy, including Maher Nasser, Assistant Secretary-General for Global Communications, who claimed to participate in advising the organization "privately", but echoed posts that claimed Israel brought starvation and blocks humanitarian aid to Gaza, and Dali ten Hove, Political Affairs Officer, who echoed a post that claimed Israel is committing genocide.

The association's chairman is Andrew Gilmour, former Deputy Secretary-General for Human Rights, who echoed posts that accuse Israel of genocide and starvation in Gaza. According to Dr. Eve Epstein, who previously served as the communications advisor to UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan, Craig Mokhiber, who has served as director of the New York office of the Human Rights Commission, plays a behind-the-scenes role.

Palestinian Authority President Mahmud Abbas (R) and former UN Secretary-General, Ban Ki-moon (L) (Photo: Reuters)

After he was forced to leave his position at the beginning of the war due to publishing several posts very hostile to Israel, he sent a letter to UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres in which he wrote that "the settler-colonial project has reached its final stage – the extermination of the remnant of Palestinian life", and called for establishing one state "in all historic Palestine".

The new initiative has already managed to provoke a sharp response from Israel. Israel's Ambassador to the UN, Danny Danon, sent an official letter to the UN Secretary-General about two weeks ago, in which he warned that the group's activity constitutes "a blatant violation of the neutrality rules" of the organization's employees. Danon accused the group of unauthorized use of the UN name and symbol, exploitation of its facilities for political activity, and creation of a hostile atmosphere that endangers Jewish and Israeli employees. According to him, an investigation and prohibition of the activity are required, but for the time being, his letter has not been answered.

United Nations Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the occupied Palestinian territory, Francesca Albanese, attends a press conference at the European headquarters of the UN in Geneva, Switzerland, September 15, 2025 (Photo: Pierre Albouy/Reuters)

On Tuesday, another meeting is planned at the initiative of the group, when a notice distributed in the UN offices in Vienna called for a general assembly of UN staff. At the meeting, Francesca Albanese, the anti-Israel UN rapporteur who was accused of antisemitism, is expected to participate who is expected to present the latest report she wrote, "From Occupation Economy to Genocide Economy", which claimed, among other things, that organizations with ties to Israel may be considered partners in genocide. The association's chairman, Gilmour, is also expected to participate, who will explain how, according to the notice's language, the employees can "create change".

According to Dr. Epstein, "almost two years after the horrors of October 7, it is inconceivable that a group of employees at the UN would exploit the mantle of neutrality to strengthen the hand of those seeking more bloodshed". She added, "By using UN symbols, 'UN Staff for Gaza' has turned the world's most important diplomatic institution into a stage for activism that legitimizes terror, abandons the principle of impartiality, and puts Jewish and Israeli employees in real danger".

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US to block Mahmoud Abbas from attending UN General Assembly in September

omrif — Fri, 29 Aug 2025 16:45:53 +0000

Secretary of State Marco Rubio has instructed that senior Palestinian Authority officials be barred from attending the gathering of world leaders from September 23 to 29. The move comes after the Palestinian Authority and the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) were placed under sanctions for breaching US laws, including the 1989 PLO Commitments Compliance Act and the 2002 Middle East Peace Commitments Act.

According to the memo obtained by the New York Post, all visas issued to Palestinian officials before July 31 are to be revoked, and no new visas will be granted, including to Abbas himself.

State Department spokesman Tommy Pigott said the decision was taken "in accordance with US law and national security interests." He added, "Secretary Rubio is revoking the visas of senior Palestinian Authority and PLO officials ahead of the General Assembly. To be considered serious partners for peace, the Palestinians must reject terrorism, abandon lawfare campaigns at the International Criminal Court and the International Court of Justice in The Hague, and halt unilateral moves toward recognition of a Palestinian state."

The United Nations General Assembly REUTERS/Eduardo Munoz

Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau said the sanctions were imposed due to "unilateral declarations of statehood, glorification of violence, encouragement of antisemitism and material support for terrorism, including paying salaries to terrorists."

The memo further noted that Abbas had planned to announce a "constitutional declaration" at the Assembly, including a proclamation of Palestinian independence. Washington views the move as a deliberate escalation, particularly after last month's "Two States Conference" hosted by France and Saudi Arabia at the UN, with a follow-up session planned during the upcoming General Assembly. Several Western countries, including the UK, France and Canada, have already indicated their intention to recognize a Palestinian state at the session.

US officials fear that boosting the Palestinian Authority's international legitimacy would also be seen as a political victory for Hamas and could reward terrorism. The State Department memo warned that the planned French-Saudi conference would serve as a "propaganda victory for Hamas" and undermine Washington's ability to shape cease-fire talks and post-war arrangements in Gaza.

Strained and tense relations before his death. Mahmoud Abbas eulogizes Yasser Arafat. Photo: Reuters

The move sets a precedent: this is the first time the US has blocked an entire foreign delegation from attending the UN's high-level week. However, it is not the first time Washington has barred a Palestinian leader. In 1988, the Reagan administration denied a visa to PLO chairman Yasser Arafat due to his ties to terrorism. The decision drew protests and ultimately led the UN to relocate its meeting to Geneva, where Arafat addressed the Assembly.

Despite the sweeping restrictions, the State Department clarified that the Palestinian UN mission will continue to operate under special exemption as required by the host country agreement, allowing diplomatic staff to work in New York. However, senior political figures will not be included.

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Israel dismisses UN secretary-general's sexual violence report threat as 'baseless'

adin — Tue, 12 Aug 2025 15:51:04 +0000

Israeli UN Ambassador Danny Danon issued a forceful dismissal of Secretary-General António Guterres' warning regarding Israel's potential inclusion in the organization's sexual violence documentation. Danon characterized the threat as another manifestation of systematic bias that elevates unverified accusations above addressing documented Hamas atrocities.

The diplomatic clash intensified following Guterres' distribution of a formal warning letter placing Israel in a cautionary category ahead of possible inclusion in next year's comprehensive report on sexual abuse patterns in conflict environments. The secretary-general's current report articulates "serious concern" about alleged sexual violence by Israeli security personnel against Palestinians across multiple detention centers, holding facilities, and military installations, specifically referencing Sde Teiman.

Danon's response emphasized Israel's commitment to lawful conduct while condemning what he described as prejudicial treatment. "The secretary-general repeatedly chooses to embrace baseless accusations word-for-word, founded on partisan publications. The UN must concentrate on Hamas' devastating war crimes and securing complete hostage release. Israel remains undeterred in protecting its citizens while maintaining adherence to international legal standards," Danon stated.

United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres speaks at the United Nations prior to a meeting about the conflict in Gaza, at the United Nations Headquarters in New York City, US, November 6, 2023 (Photo: Caitlin Ochs/Reuters)

Guterres acknowledged that Israel's denial of inspector access hampers the organization's ability to establish definitive behavioral patterns, while simultaneously expressing "substantial concern" about documented violence indicators. His correspondence outlines immediate requirements for Israeli compliance, encompassing explicit anti-violence command directives, accountability systems, comprehensive complaint investigations, leadership responsibility protocols, and unrestricted UN monitoring access with humanitarian assistance provision.

Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar previously confronted Guterres during Israel's Security Council presentation on hostage conditions roughly one week earlier. "Are you aware of Secretary-General Guterres' social media response following the horrific images of Avitar and Rom? Complete silence. Thunderous quiet. Yet everyone witnesses his relentless and compulsive anti-Israel posting," Sa'ar declared.

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UN backs away from equating Israel with Hamas in sexual violence report

omrif — Sun, 10 Aug 2025 14:59:52 +0000

Pramila Patten, the UN secretary-general's special representative on sexual violence in conflict and an undersecretary-general, is set to publish on Monday the secretary-general's annual report on sexual violence in armed conflicts worldwide.

According to a source familiar with the upcoming publication who spoke to Israel Hayom, the section on Israel and the "occupied Palestinian territories", the West Bank, Gaza and East Jerusalem, was the focus of political pressure aimed at placing Hamas and Israel on the same footing, in what critics saw as an attempt to create a false moral equivalence.

Diplomatic efforts by Israel's UN delegation blocked that move. Still, Israel appears in the report under a "warning" that it could be added to the "blacklist" next year, citing alleged "systematic violations" involving sexual violence against Palestinian prisoners.

The Gaza border fence is breached by Hamas bulldozers on October 7 Arab Networks

Regarding Hamas, the report contains an annex detailing sexual violence committed by the terrorist organization, including rape, gang rape and other crimes during and after the October 7 massacre, against hostages.

Patten's previous report, released in April 2024, remains the UN's most significant institutional recognition of the sexual atrocities committed by Hamas on October 7. That document drew heavily on findings from her January–February 2024 visit to Israel, during which she was shown evidence and testimonies of the terrorist group's war crimes.

During the visit, Patten and her team examined more than 5,000 photos and about 50 hours of footage, toured key attack sites including the Nova festival grounds, Route 232, Kibbutz Re'im, Kibbutz Be'eri and the Nahal Oz base, and held dozens of meetings with government officials, the Israel Defense Forces, the Shin Bet, police, survivors, eyewitnesses, hostage families and civil society groups.

Pramila Patten, UN special representative on sexual violence, Photo: EPA

Whereas the shock over Hamas' atrocities, particularly its sexual crimes, set the tone in Patten's last report, the new one shows a clear effort to "balance" the treatment of both sides, with greater focus on alleged violations by Israel.

Despite the "warning," Israel has not been placed this year on the UN's "blacklist" of perpetrators of sexual violence. Given Israel's troubled standing internationally, especially at the UN – known for its biased and often critical stance toward the Jewish state – this outcome is seen in Jerusalem as a relative success, 22 months into the war.

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UN staff pass rare no confidence vote against Secretary-General Guterres

omrif — Sun, 03 Aug 2025 20:30:35 +0000

A storm is brewing inside the halls of the world's most prominent international organization, as UN staff have launched an unusual protest against a reform plan advanced by UN Secretary-General António Guterres and spearheaded by Deputy Secretary-General for Policy Guy Ryder.

The initiative, dubbed UN80 to mark the UN's upcoming 80th anniversary, was designed to boost the organization's efficiency, cut redundancies, and strengthen public and member state confidence. Instead, it has ignited an unprecedented internal crisis of trust.

The reform plan rests on three main pillars: slashing bureaucracy and relocating roles to lower-cost countries, conducting a sweeping review of the thousands of mandates assigned to the UN, and reassessing the organization's structural framework. Ryder described the effort as a bid to "enhance the UN's relevance in an era of escalating crises and eroding public trust."

The United Nations General Assembly. Photo: REUTERS/Eduardo Munoz REUTERS/Eduardo Munoz

But many staffers believe the changes will come at their expense. A survey conducted by the UN Staff Coordinating Council found that 72% of respondents said the planned job cuts and outsourcing were unjustified, while 62% said they did not believe the reforms would improve organizational efficiency. Additionally, 73% voiced disapproval of the decision to spare senior leadership from the cuts.

Ian Richards, a senior staff member and former chair of the UN staff union, has publicly denounced the reform plan as "superficial," saying it merely repackages old mistakes. He criticized the reform document published by Ryder as heavy on "slick graphs and recycled statistics" but lacking real solutions. Richards also blamed UN leadership for creating the very mandate redundancies they now seek to eliminate.

"UN80 is nothing more than a scheme by Guterres to preemptively restructure the organization and deflect blame, an attempt to circumvent further 'Doge-like' budget cuts from Washington by creating the illusion of reform," said Dr. Eve Epstein, a former senior communications advisor to top UN officials and UN agencies. "It's very clear that the current state of the UN rests squarely on the shoulders of Secretary-General Guterres and his senior leadership team, not on external factors like US policies under President Trump."

UN Secretary-General Guterres. Photo: Getty Images

The crisis peaked last week during an extraordinary general assembly of the UN staff union in Geneva, attended by some 600 employees. A no confidence motion was put forward in response to mounting frustration over the way the UN80 initiative is being advanced, and it passed without opposition. The resolution stated explicitly: "The staff has no confidence in the UN80 initiative, in UN Secretary-General António Guterres, or in Deputy Secretary-General Guy Ryder."

Employees argued that the reform process was being rushed and driven without genuine worker involvement, disproportionately harming junior staffers while top level roles remained protected or even extended. Critics said the changes would centralize power in UN headquarters, undermining operations on the ground and deepening the disconnect between leadership and staff.

This is the first no confidence vote against a sitting secretary-general since 2007, when a similar motion targeted then secretary-general Ban Ki-moon in New York.

"The UN80 initiative is being pushed in a state of panic, without learning from past failures, and unfairly blames staff while ignoring leadership shortcomings," the union said. "Rather than restoring confidence in multilateral institutions, this move risks deepening division and harming the very populations the UN is meant to serve."

While UN leaders tout the reform as forward looking and innovative, staffers feel abandoned, viewing the initiative as a cost saving maneuver at their expense. The decisive question now is whether UN member states, who hold the final say, will support the leadership's vision or side with the workforce.

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FM to address UN after shocking hostage videos

miriw — Sat, 02 Aug 2025 21:31:54 +0000

Israel Hayom has learned that Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar will undertake a diplomatic mission to New York this week, participating in a UN Security Council discussion focused on the condition of Israeli hostages in Gaza. The visit represents his inaugural trip to the United States since assuming the foreign minister position.

The initiative follows the release of deeply disturbing videos showing hostages Evyatar David and Rom Braslavski, who have remained in Hamas and Islamic Jihad captivity for 667 days and appear in severe physical and psychological distress. The UN Security Council will convene on Tuesday for an extraordinary session dedicated to the hostage situation in Gaza.

Israel's Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar attends a joint press conference after their meeting, in Kyiv, Ukraine, 23 July 2025 (Photo: EPA/Sergey Dolzhenko) EPA

Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar is spearheading the diplomatic initiative. According to Israel's UN mission, Sa'ar himself plans to attend the session and deliver remarks representing Israel, pending final coordination arrangements expected to conclude in the coming hours. Sa'ar intends to highlight the severe humanitarian crisis facing the hostages and demand their immediate liberation from the terror organization.

Earlier on Monday, Israeli UN Ambassador Danny Danon referenced the forthcoming discussion in a post on X, writing, "Following my appeal to the President of the UN Security Council, the Council will convene this coming Tuesday for a special emergency session on the dire situation of the hostages in Gaza. The disturbing images speak for themselves. While a global campaign is being waged against the State of Israel, Hamas terrorists are starving and abusing the Israeli hostages. It is time for the Security Council to unequivocally condemn the barbaric acts of Hamas, which continue day after day, hour after hour."

24-year-old Evytar David has been held hostage by Hamas since October 7, 2023.
The UN Security Council must convene and address the only real starvation in Gaza - that of the hostages. pic.twitter.com/ocjx7CN5Hr

— Danny Danon דני דנון (@dannydanon) August 1, 2025

Although the session centers on hostages under Hamas control, Security Council members are anticipated to introduce additional topics concerning the Gaza conflict, including the absence of ceasefire progress and humanitarian conditions throughout the Strip, specifically food distribution issues for Gazans and claims of alleged "starvation" in the Strip attributed to Israel – charges that Israel categorically denies.

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How the UN is paving an 'irreversible path' to a Palestinian state

omrif — Thu, 12 Jun 2025 04:45:40 +0000

The concluding document of the upcoming two-state conference, led by France and Saudi Arabia and scheduled to take place at the United Nations next week, is expected to include an unconditional commitment to an "irreversible path" to the establishment of a Palestinian state. The document is also expected to be "action-oriented," according to a leak by Anne Bayefsky, a lawyer, scholar, and activist who currently heads the Touro University Institute on Human Rights and the Holocaust. Her organization holds consultative status with the UN.

According to Bayefsky, the co-chairs of the conference, France and Saudi Arabia, are presenting the document as one intended to render the creation of a Palestinian state irreversible, sidestepping negotiations on core issues, so that UN member states will effectively dictate the outcome.

She contends that although the document will not explicitly declare recognition of a Palestinian state, its purpose is to ensure that this becomes a foregone conclusion. She says the term "action-oriented" is deliberately vague to enable the imposition of punitive measures on Israel, including economic sanctions and international isolation.

Pro-Palestinian protest in Paris. Photo: AFP AFP

Bayefsky further reports that the final document will be predetermined and not subject to a vote or public negotiation during the conference. It will instead be presented at the event as a fait accompli.

She claims the organizers portray the document as the result of recent working groups that gathered input from NGOs and civil society, but in reality, the process was biased from the outset.

Bayefsky notes that her own organization, despite its consultative status with the UN, was not invited to these consultations, evidence, she says, of the skewed nature of the document's drafting process. According to her, invitations were extended only to groups that agreed in advance with the predetermined outcome. She adds that the likely source for invitees was lists of UN-associated bodies with ties to Palestinian rights, many of which are openly anti-Israel.

Bayefsky says the organizers are actively encouraging countries to announce recognition of a Palestinian state during the event itself. According to her, they have stated they would be "very pleased" if such declarations are made at the conference. In addition, she says the event will feature statements from "high-ranking international figures."

A clear attempt to sidestep US Involvement

Bayefsky points out that the final preparatory meeting before the conference took place yesterday (Wednesday) with representatives from most UN member states in attendance, despite appeals from the Trump administration urging them not to participate. She sees this as a clear attempt to bypass US involvement and undermine its traditional role in the two-state process.

According to her, the conference poses a serious challenge to the Trump administration's foreign policy. "The European Union, Canada, the UK, the Arab League, including Saudi Arabia and Qatar, and many other countries that rely on US aid are all taking part in this initiative," she wrote. In her words, "They are working to weaken America's standing and position the UN as the driving force shaping Middle East realities."

Bayefsky warns that the conference will embolden terrorism and fuel global antisemitism. "Empty declarations about 'peace' and 'human rights' will not conceal the distortion of truth and trampling of justice inherent in this move," she concluded.

It is important to clarify that a state is established through a UN Security Council resolution, and such a resolution will not pass due to the US veto. Nevertheless, a General Assembly resolution supporting such a state, as well as unilateral recognitions by other countries, have already occurred. Thus, this move presents a significant diplomatic challenge.

Nevertheless, while no senior representative of any state has yet announced their attendance, the French and Saudi co-chairs of the conference have said they expect participation of "world personalities."

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UN aid trucks reached homes of senior Hamas terrorists

omrif — Tue, 10 Jun 2025 14:45:01 +0000

Information obtained by Israel Hayom details how Hamas, in collusion with UN agencies, seized humanitarian aid at the expense of Gaza's two million residents, right under the nose of Israel's Coordinator of Government Activities in the Territories (COGAT).

Hamas had a consistent method of identifying vulnerabilities in the entry process of goods into the Strip. The group created a parasitic mechanism to smuggle items like communication equipment and cigarettes into Gaza via trucks belonging to international aid agencies. This method brought millions of dollars into Hamas's treasury, even as Israel was actively waging a war to dismantle its infrastructure.

Monitoring of Hamas's methods revealed direct clandestine collaboration with UN organizations. Throughout 2024, there were continuous communications between Hamas-linked smugglers and staff from the UN's World Food Programme.

Gazans collect supplies and humanitarian aid in Gaza. Photo: AFP

Hamas deliberately used the WFP's aid supply route to smuggle cigarettes hidden inside aid sacks. Internationally gathered documentation paints a clear picture of tight cooperation masked by a public facade of Hamas having forcibly taken over aid operations. In practice, Hamas terrorists routinely seized control of incoming aid trucks, looted their contents, sold the goods to Gaza residents, or stockpiled them for their own use.

UN staff looked on

On several occasions documented in northern Gaza, Hamas took de facto control of aid convoys and goods, publicly declaring it was managing distribution. UN workers reportedly stood by passively.

Astonishingly, some aid trucks, at times up to 600 per day, were directed straight to the homes of senior Hamas officials or to the group's warehouses. The data point to a systematic pattern of collaboration between Hamas and the UN aid agency, operating freely much like its pre-October 7 relationship with UNRWA.

Throughout the war, even after senior Hamas figures publicly declared their takeover of UN facilities and redistribution of aid, the UN never issued warnings or statements condemning the seizures. On the contrary, the UN and its Secretary-General António Guterres are now pressuring the American humanitarian fund operating in Gaza, an Israeli-American initiative aimed at severing Hamas's grip on aid distribution.

Food distribution in Gaza. Photo: AFP

Instead of supporting this new organization's efforts to prevent aid from reaching terrorists, the UN is reportedly undermining it, seeking to preserve the system that had long enriched Hamas and its operatives under the guise of humanitarian work.

Data gathered just in the past month show not only Hamas's direct control over aid but also an operational arrangement between Palestinian Islamic Jihad and the WFP. Under this deal, each group received an agreed-upon share of the trucks officially entering Gaza.

Absurd display

The farcical situation has reached the point where UN agencies operating in Gaza employ Hamas-appointed security guards to prevent citizens from looting the aid trucks. In doing so, the UN's actions directly aligned with Hamas's interests. Unsurprisingly, Hamas is now actively working to sabotage the American fund's operations, which are backed by both Israel and the US, and are intended to halt the flow of so-called humanitarian aid to the terrorist group.

Food distribution in the Gaza Strip by the aid fund. Photo: American Gaza Humanitarian Fund (GHF)

The threat Hamas feels is tangible. Just last Friday, Hamas issued a warning to workers of the American Gaza aid fund to cease operations: "This is your final warning - your movements are being monitored precisely. You will not be forgiven for your involvement in projects that dishonor our people and serve suspicious agendas under the guise of humanitarian work. There will be severe consequences, and you will bear full responsibility. Stop now."

The fund temporarily halted its operations that day. In recent days, multiple reports have emerged of daily confrontations surrounding the fund's work, as Hamas appears to be in a final struggle to maintain its survival.

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