A U.S. government watchdog has identified at least four additional employees of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) allegedly involved in kidnapping Israelis and supporting the Hamas attack on October 7, 2023.

According to an April 30 investigative summary from the USAID Office of Inspector General, these four individuals include:

  • 3 teachers

  • 1 social worker.

The report states that these individuals were:

“allegedly involved in the detention of civilian hostages kidnapped from Israel and/or participated in terrorist activities in Israel on October 7, 2023.”

More than 100 UNRWA employees are currently under investigation. According to the report, evidence now supports allegations against at least 21 people linked to Hamas or involved in the attack that killed approximately 1,200 people in Israel, including 46 U.S. citizens. Over 250 people were also taken hostage and brought to Gaza.

A senior State Department official told the New York Post:

“The recent USAID Inspector General investigation confirms that the UN has shortcomings in vetting personnel with ties to terrorist organizations.”

The official also stated:

“This will not be tolerated.”

According to sources, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the U.S. Department of Justice are now involved in investigating allegations of UNRWA staff assisting Hamas. One source said evidence from the USAID investigation could be referred to federal prosecutors if officials decide to pursue criminal charges.

Another source said:

“The FBI is certainly involved from a counter-terrorism perspective,”
adding that the deaths of U.S. citizens in the attack prompted the agency's involvement.

All 21 UNRWA employees named in the investigation have been proposed for suspension or debarment from receiving U.S. federal funding for 10 years.

The administration of President Donald Trump previously signed an executive order in February 2025 halting all U.S. funding to UNRWA.

UNRWA has not yet responded to requests for comment from the New York Post.