The Israeli Defense Forces confirmed on Thursday that they had killed Mohammad Abu Itiwi, a Hamas commander involved in the Oct. 7 attacks, during a joint operation with the Israeli Security Agency. It was also revealed that Abu Itiwi had been working for the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) since July 2022. He was implicated in the assault on the Reim bomb shelter, where U.S. citizen Hersh Goldberg-Polin was abducted. The UNRWA, a controversial United Nations agency, did not immediately respond to requests for comment. Witnesses reported that Abu Itiwi led the attack on the shelter, where attendees of the Tribe of Nova music festival sought refuge from Hamas attackers.
The Reim bomb shelter, site of the Oct. 7 massacre, became a symbol of the tragedy that unfolded as Hamas terrorists attacked those seeking safety inside. Aner Shapira, an IDF soldier, heroically attempted to protect the people in the shelter by throwing grenades back at the attackers. Despite managing to throw back seven grenades, Shapira was killed during the assault. Goldberg-Polin lost his arm in the attack and was one of the four people abducted by Hamas and taken to Gaza. He was later killed by Hamas terrorists 11 months after the attack. A total of 27 people were in the shelter, with 16 killed, four kidnapped, and seven survivors. Abu Itiwi was known to have directed and carried out multiple attacks on IDF troops in the Gaza Strip.
The involvement of UNRWA employees in the Oct. 7 massacre led to Israeli officials reaching out to senior officials in the United Nations and the international community for an urgent investigation. The agency has faced similar allegations in the past regarding ties to Hamas, although it has denied many of the claims. At least 12 UNRWA staffers have been fired in recent months due to suspected involvement in the attacks. The Israeli Coordination of Government Activities in the Territories, under the Ministry of Defense, has requested thorough investigations into the role of UNRWA employees in the Oct. 7 incident.
The allegations against UNRWA and the involvement of its employees in the Oct. 7 attacks have raised concerns about the agency’s connections to Hamas and its activities in the region. The IDF’s confirmation of Abu Itiwi’s role in the massacre has heightened tensions and brought attention to the complex political and security dynamics in the Gaza Strip. The tragic events at the Reim bomb shelter underscore the ongoing challenges faced by civilians living in conflict zones and the risks posed by extremist groups like Hamas. The international community’s response to these developments will be crucial in addressing the root causes of violence in the region and promoting peace and stability.
