Israeli testifies at UN: 84-year-old mother held hostage for 48 days in UNRWA teacher’s Gaza home

The daughter of an 84-year-old Israeli woman who was held hostage in Gaza for 53 days testified before the UN Human Rights Council that her mother spent 48 of those days trapped in the attic of a UNRWA teacher’s home.

Neta Heiman Mina said her mother, Ditza Heiman, was kidnapped from her home in Kibbutz Nir Oz during the Oct. 7, 2023, Hamas attack on southern Israel and spent most of her captivity in difficult conditions with little food. Mina delivered her testimony during an address to the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva, Switzerland.

“For 48 days, an UNRWA teacher kept her trapped in his attic — in terrible conditions, with very little food,” Mina stated. “I ask the United Nations: How could you place the education of Gaza’s next generation with someone involved in holding an elderly woman hostage?”

The testimony adds to previous accounts from former Israeli hostages who have said they were held by UNRWA employees in Gaza. Previous hostage testimonies have also alleged that UNRWA personnel were involved in holding hostages.

Hamas terrorists killed approximately 1,200 people and kidnapped 251 others during the Oct. 7 attack, which largely targeted civilians, including women, children and elderly people.

Mina, an activist with the organization Women Wage Peace, criticized continued international funding and support for UNRWA, citing what she described as the agency’s links to Hamas.

She specifically mentioned Suhail al-Hindi, a former senior UNRWA staff official in Gaza whom UN Watch has identified as a Hamas member. Mina called for UNRWA to be replaced by another organization.

“I believe the vacuum must be filled. The United Nations and the Peace Council must find alternatives to provide Gaza’s children with health care, education and food security,” she argued.

The testimony comes as UNRWA continues to face scrutiny over allegations that some of its employees have been affiliated with or participated in activities connected to Hamas.

In January 2024, the United States and other donor nations temporarily suspended financial aid to UNRWA after Israel presented evidence alleging that UNRWA employees had participated in the Oct. 7 attack and kidnapping of Israeli civilians.

Much of the funding later resumed after an independent review led by former French Foreign Minister Catherine Colonna examined UNRWA’s neutrality mechanisms. The review produced 50 reform recommendations.

UNRWA has subsequently reported progress on those recommendations, saying it had completed 41 by 2026.

In February, former Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant provided the names of at least 12 UNRWA workers who participated in the Oct. 7 attack. Israeli officials have also alleged that additional UNRWA employees were involved in the atrocities.

In July 2024, the Israeli Foreign Ministry sent a letter to the UNRWA chief with the names of 100 terrorists employed by UNRWA. Israeli intelligence has estimated that at least 10% of UNRWA’s employees are affiliated with Hamas and other designated terrorist organizations.

UNRWA has rejected allegations that the agency is systematically linked to Hamas. The Colonna review recommended 50 reforms, and UNRWA has reported implementing or completing more of them.

According to UN Watch, however, the agency’s own reporting overstates the extent of the reforms. Its latest report, “The Illusion of Reform,” argues that UNRWA has at best implemented 13 of the 50 recommendations as prescribed.

“UNRWA graded its own ‘homework’ and gave itself high marks,” UN Watch Executive Director Hillel Neuer stated.

“On paper, UNRWA reports sweeping progress. In practice, its employees continue to be exposed as members and supporters of terrorist organizations, hate-filled educational content continues to exist and Hamas-controlled staff unions continue to undermine neutrality and organizational discipline,” Neuer continued.

The controversy has also led to direct action by Israel. In October 2024, the Israeli parliament, the Knesset, banned UNRWA’s activities in Israel despite international opposition.

The Israeli Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) argued that UNRWA should be replaced by another organization to provide humanitarian assistance in Gaza and elsewhere in the Middle East.

“Since avoiding a humanitarian crisis is also essential, sustained humanitarian aid must remain available in Gaza now and in the future. In the 90 days before this legislation takes effect – and after – we stand ready to work with our international partners to ensure Israel continues to facilitate humanitarian aid to civilians in Gaza in a way that does not threaten Israel’s security,” the PMO stated.