A sharp confrontation unfolded at the United Nations Security Council as Israeli Ambassador Danny Danon accused senior UN officials of ignoring Hamas’s role in the humanitarian crisis in Gaza while directing criticism at Israel.

The dispute centered on remarks by Tom Fletcher, the UN Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs, during a discussion on conditions in the Gaza Strip. Danon challenged Fletcher for focusing on obstacles to aid deliveries while, he said, failing to address the role of Hamas.

Addressing Fletcher directly during the session, Danon said: “You spoke about the humanitarian situation in Gaza, criticized Israel and described the obstacles to bringing in aid. But once again you failed to mention the biggest obstacle to improving the humanitarian situation—Hamas. Why do you refuse to call the problem by its name?”

The Israeli envoy went on to argue that no lasting improvement in Gaza is possible as long as Hamas remains armed and in control.

“The humanitarian situation will not improve, Gaza will not be rebuilt, and the war will not end as long as Hamas remains armed.”

His comments reflected Israel’s long-standing criticism that international organizations frequently overlook Hamas’s responsibility for conditions in Gaza while focusing disproportionately on Israeli actions.

Danon also used the session to press the United Nations for answers regarding the dismissal of dozens of employees from the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees, commonly known as UNRWA.

Referring to the agency’s recent personnel actions, he said: “This week UNRWA fired 70 employees, citing ‘safety and security risks.'”

Questioning the explanation, Danon continued: “If there is no terrorism problem in UNRWA, then why exactly were 70 employees fired?”

The ambassador argued that Israel’s warnings about Hamas infiltration within UNRWA had been dismissed for years and said recent developments had validated those concerns.

“For years we warned that Hamas had infiltrated UNRWA. For years the UN denied it. Now even UNRWA is forced to dismiss its own employees. It is time to stop covering up reality and start providing answers.”

Danon’s remarks came amid renewed criticism by Israeli officials of the United Nations, including controversy surrounding comments by Francesca Albanese, the UN special rapporteur on Palestinian issues, who was accused by critics of responding dismissively to a bereaved Israeli mother whose daughter was killed during the October 7 massacre.

The dispute also follows a series of recent Israeli measures targeting UNRWA. In recent weeks, Israel has taken steps against the agency, including cutting water and electricity infrastructure connected to its offices in Yerushalayim, after what Israeli officials say was evidence linking some agency employees to Hamas.

The latest exchange at the Security Council highlighted the continuing tensions between Israel and various UN bodies, with Israeli officials accusing the organization of anti-Israel bias and of failing to adequately confront Hamas’s activities in Gaza.