UN Official Denies 'A Shred of Evidence' Linking Staff in Gaza to Hostage Holding

The United Nations' top humanitarian aid official, Tom Fletcher, has firmly denied any U.N. involvement in the alleged holding of hostages in Gaza. Speaking with Fox News Digital, Fletcher stated he had "not seen a shred of evidence" to support claims that U.N. facilities or staff were complicit in such acts.

When pressed about allegations from former Hamas hostages, including claims they were held in U.N. facilities, Fletcher was unequivocal. "I have not seen a shred of evidence so far, and I have asked for it," he said, adding that any proven involvement of U.N. staff in terrorism or hostage-taking would prompt immediate investigation. Fletcher even volunteered to lead such an investigation himself.

Among the accusers is Emily Damari, a former Hamas hostage with dual British and Israeli citizenship. She alleged being held at a United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) facility, where she claimed she was denied proper medical care. Damari shared her ordeal with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, further spotlighting the controversy.

Fletcher acknowledged Hamas might have used a facility that had previously been a U.N. shelter but clarified it was after the U.N. was "bombed out of it by the Israelis." He stressed the U.N. had no presence to prevent such use at the time.

These allegations elicited strong reactions. Israeli U.N. Ambassador Danny Danon called on the U.N. to launch a thorough investigation, stating, "Rather than dedicating ample resources and efforts to demonizing Israel, the U.N. should be thoroughly investigating these very serious claims about U.N. complicity in depraved Hamas terrorism."

Anne Bayefsky, director of the Touro Institute on Human Rights and the Holocaust, criticized the U.N.'s response, accusing the organization of a pattern of "deny, deflect, and carry on" when faced with accusations involving terrorism. She further claimed that Israel had presented "mountains of evidence" about UNRWA's alleged complicity in the October 7 Hamas attacks, which the U.N. has repeatedly denied.

Meanwhile, the U.N.'s Office of Oversight Services (OIOS) has reviewed Israel's claims but found "insufficient" evidence to substantiate accusations against nine U.N. workers. However, the possibility of involvement was not entirely dismissed. UNRWA Commissioner-General Philippe Lazzarini stated that the implicated employees "cannot work for UNRWA."

While Fletcher maintains his stance of no credible evidence, the debate surrounding the U.N.'s role in the region continues to fuel tensions. Fox News reached out to Damari's family for further comments on Fletcher's remarks but did not receive a response.