The Israel Defense Forces and the country’s internal security service, the Shin Bet, announced that Mohammad Abu Itiwi was killed during an Israeli military operation on Wednesday.
Itiwi was commander of the Nukhba force, an elite unit of Hamas that was fighting in Gaza, multiple reports confirmed. He had also participated in the Oct. 7 Hamas terrorist attack on Israel and his actions are believed to have contributed to the deaths of at least 370 victims during the attack.
Itiwi was also employed by the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East, Reuters reported. The organization was made aware of Itiwi’s ties to Hamas through an official letter from Israel that was sent to the UNRWA in July. It included a list of 100 staff members that Israeli intelligence had suspected were part of violent paramilitary organizations such as Hamas. He had been employed by the UNRWA since 2022.
UNRWA confirmed Itiwi’s death, Reuters reported. They also acknowledged receipt of Israel’s letter but claimed that Israel did not adhere to later communication that requested the country provide more information about Itiwi to the UNRWA.
“The UNRWA commissioner general responded to that letter immediately stating that any allegation is taken seriously,” said Juliette Touma, UNRWA’s director of communications. “He urged (the government of Israel) to cooperate with the agency by providing more information so he could take action. To date, UNRWA has not received any response to that letter.”
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In response, Israel demanded action be taken by the UN including a full investigation of UNRWA employees and their potential ties to the Oct. 7 terrorist attack.
“Israel has requested urgent clarifications from senior UN officials and an urgent investigation into the involvement of UNRWA employees in the Oct. 7 massacre,” said Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari, an Israeli military spokesperson.