Israel claims to have killed a Hamas commander who worked for UNRWA since July 2022

The Army points to him as responsible for directing the Hamas attack against the shelter where attendees of the Nova Festival took shelter.

Oct. 24 (EUROPA PRESS) –

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) reported this Thursday that one of the attacks carried out the day before against the Gaza Strip culminated in the death of the “terrorist” Muhammad Abu Atawi, a commander of the Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas). who, according to the Israeli side, would have worked for the United Nations Agency for Palestinian Refugees (UNRWA) since July 2022.

According to Israeli military authorities, Atawi was commander of the Nujba Force – the name by which the special forces of the military branch of Hamas, the Ezzeldin al Qassam Brigades, are known – and was in charge of the attacks carried out by the militia on October 7 against Kibbutz Reim, located in southern Israel just six kilometers from the Gaza Strip.

Specifically, the Israeli Army has detailed that Atawi was in charge of organizing the attack against an air raid shelter located on Highway 232 where some of the attendees of the Nova Festival had taken shelter, one of the epicenters of the Hamas attacks. . Hamas militants, under Atawi’s orders, killed 16 people and took four others hostage.

Regarding its connection with the UNRWA, the IDF has shared on its website – where it usually updates the latest developments in the war in the Middle East – an alleged document from the United Nations agency in which Atawi’s name is included. and it is highlighted that he has been working as a driver since July 2, 2022.

Following this incident, representatives of the Coordinator of Government Activities in the Territories (COGAT) have demanded from “senior officials of the international community and the UN” clarifications and an “urgent investigation” into the participation of UNRWA employees in the attacks. on October 7.