Israeli authorities have alleged that a worker for the UN’s Palestinian aid agency killed in central Gaza on Wednesday was also a Hamas commander.
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) and the Israeli Security Agency alleged that Mohammad Abu Etewi “was involved in the murder and abduction of Israeli civilians on October 7 and was simultaneously employed by UNRWA,” referring to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency.
The Israeli authorities said that Abu Etewi led an attack on a bomb shelter in Re’im, southern Israel, on October 7, 2023, and alleged that he continued to direct and carry out attacks on IDF troops as the war continued.
An UNRWA spokesperson confirmed to CNN on Friday that Abu Etewi was on a list of employees that Israel alleged to be members of the military wing of Hamas. But she said that when the agency requested more information to investigate, Israel failed to provide it.
“To date, UNRWA has not received any response to that letter,” UNRWA’s Juliette Touma said.
Israeli authorities also released two photos of a man that they say is Abu Etewi allegedly partaking in the October 7 attacks. The man is seen wearing a head covering and holding what appears to be a gun. CNN cannot independently verify the images.
IDF spokesperson Daniel Hagari said Thursday that a bomb shelter that Abu Etewi allegedly attacked was where the hostages Hersh Goldberg-Polin, Alon Ohel, Or Levi and Eliya Cohen were taken captive.
On Wednesday, members of Abu Etewi’s family spoke to CNN about his killing and said he had no connection to Hamas.
“Mohammad is not on the front lines; he is not a fighter and has no connection to anything,” Marwan Abu Etewi, the man’s father, told CNN. “We honor the resistance, but Mohammad has nothing to do with it; he is an agency employee and a driver who serves by going to work at 7:30 in the morning, transporting aid to refugees and those in need to schools.”