Experts Sound Alarm: UN Agency's Terror Links Threaten Gaza Peace Plan

A growing chorus of foreign policy and national security experts is urgently calling upon the Trump administration to decisively exclude the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) from any future peace initiatives concerning the Gaza Strip. These experts argue that UNRWA's long-standing, alleged connections to terror organizations and its role in perpetuating rather than resolving the Palestinian refugee issue make it an unsuitable partner for genuine peace efforts.

The push comes amidst renewed focus on a potential U.S.-led "deal of the century" peace plan, which many hope could bring a lasting resolution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

However, critics contend that including an agency purportedly riddled with elements sympathetic to groups like Hamas would fundamentally undermine the credibility and effectiveness of any such proposal.

Concerns surrounding UNRWA are multifaceted. Numerous reports and analyses have highlighted alleged instances of UNRWA facilities being used by terror groups, educational materials promoting anti-Israel sentiment and incitement to violence, and a general environment where Hamas's influence within the agency is significant.

Critics point to the agency's unique mandate, which treats descendants of original refugees as refugees indefinitely, rather than seeking their resettlement and integration, thereby sustaining a narrative of perpetual displacement.

One prominent argument is that UNRWA has become an obstacle to peace by fostering an environment of grievance and dependency, rather than working towards solutions that would integrate Palestinian refugees into host countries or a future Palestinian state.

Experts emphasize that true peace requires a break from institutions that are perceived to legitimize or facilitate the operations of terror entities.

The experts advocating for UNRWA's exclusion range from former U.S. diplomats and intelligence officials to scholars from leading think tanks. They collectively argue that any peace plan must prioritize security and genuine reconciliation, which they believe is incompatible with an agency that has, in their view, demonstrated a pattern of enabling or tolerating terror-related activities.

This sentiment is not new.

For years, watchdogs and pro-Israel organizations have documented what they claim are deeply troubling aspects of UNRWA's operations. The calls for a ban are a direct reflection of these accumulated concerns, urging the U.S. to leverage its diplomatic influence and potential funding in a way that truly serves the cause of peace and security in the region.

By removing UNRWA from the negotiating table, these experts hope to send a clear message: that the international community, and specifically the United States, will not legitimize organizations with alleged terror ties.

This move, they contend, would be a critical step towards fostering an environment where real, lasting peace in Gaza and the wider Middle East can finally take root, free from the shadow of incitement and conflict perpetuation.