Hamas Slams Board of Peace for Excluding UNRWA From Gaza Reconstruction

September 25-26, 2026 — Trump's Board of Peace said UNRWA will have no role in its $2.45 billion Gaza recovery plan, stating it will work only with partners it deems 'trusted' and that the UN Palestinian refugee agency does not meet that standard — echoing a longstanding Israeli demand to sideline UNRWA. Hamas spokesperson Hazem Qassem called the decision 'a complete alignment with the Zionist position,' accusing the Board of trying to end UNRWA's operations and eliminate the right of return. An ABC News investigation published Sep 25 reported the Board has in fact held multiple undisclosed meetings with UNRWA, with Gaza's Board-supervised administration privately telling the agency 'I don't know how I can succeed without you.' Former UNRWA chief Philippe Lazzarini warned removing the agency, still Gaza's largest aid, health and education provider, would be 'devastating' for the territory nearly a year into the ceasefire.