Trump Admin Considers Terror Sanctions Against UN Palestinian Agency

The Trump administration is weighing unprecedented terrorism sanctions against the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) over growing evidence that the Palestinian aid organization is riddled with ties to Hamas.

According to sources with direct knowledge of the discussions, officials are reviewing whether to designate UNRWA or parts of its leadership as foreign terrorist entities, potentially isolating the agency from global financial systems and further choking off funds used to support anti-Israel terror operations.

This wouldn’t just be a symbolic move it would be a seismic policy shift targeting the backbone of Gaza’s so-called “aid infrastructure,” which many now argue functions more as a shield and funnel for Hamas than a neutral humanitarian body.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio left no ambiguity in October “UNRWA became a subsidiary of Hamas.”

That followed reports that at least a dozen UNRWA staff members took part in the October 7, 2023 Hamas massacre one of the deadliest terrorist attacks on Israel in modern history.

Despite the United Nations’ insistence that UNRWA is “neutral,” the facts paint a different picture:

What we know so far:

• UNRWA staff were directly involved in Hamas’s coordinated attack, according to Israeli intelligence.

• The Trump administration froze all U.S. funding in January 2024, which had once made America the group’s largest donor.

• Nine employees were terminated after internal U.N. investigations found evidence that “could indicate” participation in terrorism.

• UNRWA continues operating in Hamas-run territories, including Gaza, where it has long been accused of anti-Israel indoctrination and corruption.

In an executive order issued in February, President Trump reaffirmed his administration’s stance:

“UNRWA has reportedly been infiltrated by members of groups long designated by the Secretary of State as foreign terrorist organizations.”

UNRWA's defenders argue that an FTO designation would cripple the delivery of aid to millions of Palestinians. But critics say the real issue is how that aid is being used and who’s controlling it.

Let’s be clear: Aid used to enable terror is not aid at all. It’s blood money.

The agency’s defenders claim the allegations are “unprecedented and unwarranted.” But this isn’t about political optics it’s about national security and holding so-called ‘humanitarian’ groups accountable when they actively or passively support terror.

UNRWA’s own internal probe quietly buried in August found little hard evidence in many cases, but nine staff were dismissed anyway. That alone should be enough for serious alarm. When even the U.N. fires its own for suspected terror ties, you know the problem is deeper than anyone is willing to admit.

And the Biden-led international bodies haven’t helped. In April 2025, the International Court of Justice demanded that Israel work with UNRWA a demand both Jerusalem and Washington rejected.

Rightfully so.

As President Trump has made clear, America won’t be bullied into aiding or legitimizing any agency that facilitates terror, even if it hides behind a blue U.N. logo.

The Trump administration’s actions come at a time when trust in international institutions is at an all-time low. Americans are tired of watching their tax dollars fund corruption, terrorism, and anti-American agendas under the guise of “global cooperation.”

Sanctioning UNRWA would be a bold and long overdue move to cut off Hamas’s humanitarian cover and send a message to the world: if you’re funding terrorism, we will shut you down.

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