Scott, Ricketts, Colleagues Applaud Trump Admin’s Exclusion of UNRWA from Gaza Peace Process

WASHINGTON - Today, U.S. Senator Tim Scott joined Sen. Pete Ricketts (R-NE) and 24 of his Republican Senate colleagues in applauding President Trump and Secretary Rubio for excluding the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) from the Gaza peace process, citing UNRWA's ties to Hamas.

"As discussions on Gaza's future continue, we must avoid repeating the mistakes that empowered the terror group to take hold in the first place," the lawmakers wrote. "For decades, the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) has operated in Gaza, yet extensive reporting, investigations, and intelligence assessments documented systemic infiltration of the agency by Hamas and other U.S.-designated foreign terrorist organizations."

"In response to these alarming findings, the United States rightfully suspended funding to UNRWA and Israel barred the agency from operating on its territory," the lawmakers continued. "These steps were necessary because UNRWA has shown it cannot maintain neutrality or operate without being co-opted by terrorists. During your recent visit to Israel, you reaffirmed UNRWA's ties to terrorism, describing the agency as 'a subsidiary of Hamas' and making clear that it 'is not going to play any role' in the delivery of aid to Gaza. Reinstating UNRWA would only recreate the very conditions that allowed Hamas to entrench itself and exert control in Gaza."

"We strongly urge the administration to ensure that UNRWA play no role in any efforts to stabilize, govern, and rebuild Gaza," the lawmakers concluded. "Instead, we encourage the United States to work with vetted international partners, trusted regional actors, and nongovernmental organizations that are demonstrably free of terrorist influence and committed to transparency, accountability, and peace."

Additional signers included Senators Jim Risch (R-ID), Steve Daines (R-MT), Ted Budd (R-NC), Cynthia Lummis (R-WY), Tommy Tuberville (R-AL), Bill Hagerty (R-TN), John Cornyn (R-TX), Roger Wicker (R-MS), Tom Cotton (R-AR), Susan Collins (R-ME), Bernie Moreno (R-OH), Chuck Grassley (R-IA), John Boozman (R-AR), Tim Sheehy (R-MT), Lindsey Graham (R-SC), Deb Fischer (R-NE), Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV), Ted Cruz (R-TX), James Lankford (R-OK), Mike Crapo (R-ID), Mike Lee (R-UT), Dave McCormick (R-PA), Katie Britt (R-AL), and John Hoeven (R-ND).

Full text of the letter can be found here and below:

Dear Secretary Rubio,

We write in support of the Trump administration's efforts to advance lasting stability in Gaza and enduring security for Israel. President Trump's leadership has been instrumental in negotiating and maintaining the ceasefire agreement and in securing the ongoing release of hostages. It is vital to continue applying maximum pressure on Hamas to release the remaining hostages still held in Gaza. We also commend the administration's continued commitment to ensuring that Hamas is fully disarmed and can never rule again in the territory. As discussions on Gaza's future continue, we must avoid repeating the mistakes that empowered the terror group to take hold in the first place.

For decades, the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) has operated in Gaza, yet extensive reporting, investigations, and intelligence assessments documented systemic infiltration of the agency by Hamas and other U.S.-designated foreign terrorist organizations. At least twelve UNRWA employees took part in the Hamas-led October 7 attacks, and roughly ten percent of UNRWA's Gaza staff have ties to terrorist groups, with many more having close relatives involved in these organizations. Since October 7, Hamas has repeatedly stolen the agency's aid and supplies, weapons have been found in its schools, tunnel infrastructure has been uncovered in or near its facilities, and its buildings were even used to hold hostages. Long before the war, UNRWA's curriculum was already known to radicalize Palestinian youth by promoting antisemitism and glorifying terrorism.

In response to these alarming findings, the United States rightfully suspended funding to UNRWA and Israel barred the agency from operating on its territory. These steps were necessary because UNRWA has shown it cannot maintain neutrality or operate without being co-opted by terrorists. During your recent visit to Israel, you reaffirmed UNRWA's ties to terrorism, describing the agency as "a subsidiary of Hamas" and making clear that it "is not going to play any role" in the delivery of aid to Gaza. Reinstating UNRWA would only recreate the very conditions that allowed Hamas to entrench itself and exert control in Gaza.

We strongly urge the administration to ensure that UNRWA play no role in any efforts to stabilize, govern, and rebuild Gaza. Instead, we encourage the United States to work with vetted international partners, trusted regional actors, and nongovernmental organizations that are demonstrably free of terrorist influence and committed to transparency, accountability, and peace.

We appreciate your leadership and stand prepared to work with the Trump administration to support Gaza reconstruction efforts and ensure lasting security for Israel.

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