Gaza-based UN worker arrested for ‘security offenses’

A Gaza-based UN employee was arrested for “security offenses,” Israel’s Foreign Ministry stated.

The Shin Bet (Israel Security Agency) has arrested UN employee Hamdan Tamaraz, a resident of Nuseirat in the Gaza Strip who was working for the United Nations Department of Safety and Security (UNDSS).

Tamaraz, 61, admitted during questioning that he was involved in prohibited activities. He was then released.

According to the Foreign Ministry, Tamaraz was involved in security offenses.

Authorities are examining the situation and have issued reports to UN authorities regarding details of the investigation.

Israeli Ambassador to the UN Danny Danon declared, “We will not allow UN agencies to become branches of the Hamas terrorist organization.  While UN workers should be focused on humanitarian assistance for the local residents, Hamas is attempting to cynically exploit these officials and turn them into accomplices to terror.  Over the past year, we uncovered a number of incidents in which UN workers took advantage of their positions to assist terror organizations in the Gaza Strip.  The UN must act to put an immediate end to this unacceptable situation.”

In January, an employee of a UN charity program in Gaza was convicted by an Israeli court of using his position to aid Hamas terrorists.

By: World Israel News Staff

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