A recent candlelight ceremony held to honor United Nations employees who lost their lives in 2025 has ignited controversy. The event inadvertently recognized a former employee later identified as a Hamas commander.
During this annual memorial service in June, U.N. Secretary-General António Guterres, General Assembly President Annalena Baerbock, and then-Security Council President Leonor Zalabata Torres participated in lighting a candle symbolizing “an eternal flame” for the 136 U.N. personnel who died in service. Among the names read was Imad Youssif El Samhouri, a former employee of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) who was initially honored as a teacher and school principal.
On August 8, 2025, Hamas publicly identified El Samhouri as a field commander in the Al-Qassam Brigades, raising questions about his past and his association with the U.N.
During the memorial, Guterres stated that many U.N. workers, especially those in Gaza, faced unprecedented dangers. He emphasized the need to remember these sacrifices, stating, “U.N. personnel must never be targeted.” He also mentioned that securing consent from families to honor the deceased has become increasingly difficult, as many families had either perished or were displaced.
In response to the incident, Hillel Neuer, executive director of UN Watch, called for an apology from Guterres and Baerbock. He argued that it highlights an ongoing issue within UNRWA regarding its inability to distance itself from suspected terrorists.
Stéphane Dujarric, spokesperson for the U.N., explained that the honor for El Samhouri was unintended, asserting that the agency was unaware of the details surrounding his past at the time of the ceremony. He noted that the list of staff members is shared with Israeli authorities annually, with no prior concerns raised regarding El Samhouri.
In contrast, Israeli U.N. Ambassador Danny Danon expressed outrage, stating that the U.N. has lost its moral compass and failed to condemn terrorist affiliations within its ranks. He accused the U.N. of ignoring warnings about potential Hamas operatives infiltrating its operations.
Neuer compiled evidence linking El Samhouri to acts of terrorism and has criticized UNRWA for allowing individuals with such ties to hold positions in its schools. He explained that El Samhouri has publicly supported militant actions and praised violent acts against Israel.
This incident is part of broader concerns about the extent of Hamas’s influence within UNRWA. Reports suggest a troubling pattern where more than 400 employees have demonstrated connections to the group, indicating systemic issues within the organization. Critics like Neuer believe reform is insufficient and call for the dismantling of UNRWA to prevent further radicalization.
While the U.N. has not officially responded to concerns about El Samhouri’s affiliations, a USAID investigation is currently evaluating the ties of approximately 1,500 UNRWA employees to Hamas. This ongoing probe has already prompted the U.S. State Department to recommend the suspension of several staff members linked to terrorism.
As the situation unfolds, questions remain about the integrity and safety of U.N. operations in conflict zones.
