When it was reported yesterday (via memeorandum) that the UN finally admitted that Hamas raided one of its convoys, I wondered if the New York Times or Washington Post would report it. Well the New York Times came through.
Ahmed al-Kurd, the minister of social affairs in the Hamas-run Gaza government, said he was “very surprised and shocked†at the agency’s statement. The Hamas authorities have “never harmed Unrwa’s security,†he said.
But Mr. Kurd hinted at some displeasure among Hamas officials with the agency’s distribution of aid. He said that his ministry had been asking the agency to provide information about the assistance it provides, and that it was “investigating†whether the agency was working with any organizations in Gaza that were not licensed by the local government and “that have a political agenda.†He was presumably referring to groups that oppose Hamas.
I suppose that the real reason he’s “shocked” that the UNRWA actually said anything instead of remaining silent.
Peter Lerner, an Israeli Defense Ministry spokesman, said Israel was “aware of numerous incidents†where aid sent into Gaza, particularly from Jordan and Egypt, was seized, “sometimes at gunpoint.â€
And of course, as Elder of Ziyon – who has been on top of this story as a journalist should have been – points out, the UNRWA still refuses to acknowledge that such raids have ever happened in the past.
Crossposted on Soccer Dad.
