UN worker accused of hiding Jewish hostage in Gaza

A UN worker in Gaza is under investigation for allegedly sheltering a Jewish hostage who was kidnapped by Hamas militants in May.

The hostage, identified as David Cohen, a dual Israeli-American citizen, was one of four civilians who were abducted by Hamas during the 11-day conflict between Israel and the Palestinian group that killed more than 250 people and displaced nearly a million in Gaza.

According to sources within the UN Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA), which provides humanitarian assistance to Palestinian refugees, Cohen was secretly hidden by a UN worker in his apartment in Gaza City for six months, until he was discovered by Hamas security forces last week.

The UN worker, whose name and nationality have not been disclosed, was arrested by Hamas and is currently being interrogated. The UNRWA said it was aware of the situation and was cooperating with the authorities.

The fate of Cohen and the other three hostages remains unknown. Hamas has not publicly acknowledged holding them or made any demands for their release. Israel has repeatedly called for their immediate and unconditional release and accused Hamas of violating international humanitarian law.

The revelation of the UN worker's involvement has sparked outrage and controversy in Israel and among its allies, who have long accused the UNRWA of bias and complicity with Hamas. Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett said the incident was "a disgraceful stain on the UN" and demanded that the UN worker be held accountable.

However, some human rights groups and activists have praised the UN worker for his courage and compassion, saying he risked his life to save another human being from a dire situation. They also urged the UN to ensure his safety and fair treatment.

The incident has also raised questions about the role and credibility of the UN in Gaza, where it is one of the main providers of humanitarian aid and services to the population, which suffers from chronic poverty, unemployment, and blockade. The UN has repeatedly appealed for more funding and access to address the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, which has been worsened by the recent conflict and the COVID-19 pandemic.

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