Hamas Leader Killed in Lebanon Was UN Employee, Agency Confirms
Fateh Al Sharif, the Hamas leader in Lebanon who was recently killed by Israeli strikes, was confirmed to be a UN employee by the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA). Sharif was killed along with his wife and children in an airstrike on the al-Bass refugee camp in the southern Lebanese city of Tyre on Monday, September 30, 2024.
UNRWA noted that Sharif had been on administrative leave without pay since March and was undergoing an investigation due to allegations about his political activities. The Israeli military confirmed that Sharif was specifically targeted and accused him of coordinating “terror activities” with members of Hezbollah.
The incident has sparked widespread criticism, with some accusing UNRWA of failing to sufficiently eliminate Hamas militants from its personnel. Hamas has acknowledged Sharif’s role as a high-ranking commander and member of their international leadership, highlighting the complex and contentious nature of his involvement with both Hamas and UNRWA.
