In a recent interview, UN Relief Chief Martin Griffiths sparked controversy by stating that he does not consider Hamas to be a terrorist group. This statement has drawn criticism from Israeli government officials and ignited a debate about the role and perception of Hamas in the international community.

During the interview with Sky News, Griffiths expressed his understanding of the trauma caused to Israel by Hamas's October 7 attack. However, he emphasized the need for Israel to establish a relationship with its neighbors, regardless of their political affiliations. Griffiths argued that dislodging well-entrenched groups like Hamas without a negotiated solution that addresses their aspirations is extremely difficult.

The UN Relief Chief also highlighted the challenges faced by the United Nations in delivering aid to Gaza, particularly amid ongoing military operations. He acknowledged that Palestinians in the region have limited safe options for evacuation as Israel's actions in Rafah have limited their choices. Griffiths stated that the UN has been in daily discussions with Israeli officials who have requested assistance in evacuating civilians to safer locations. However, he affirmed that the UN would not participate in forced evacuations.

Griffiths's comments drew strong reactions from Israeli government spokesman Elyon Levy, who condemned his statement on Twitter, accusing him of abusing his power to save Hamas and demanding its surrender. The official Israeli national account also criticized Griffiths, stating that Hamas is a political organization that, from time to time, engages in acts of violence against civilians. This backlash reflects the growing rift between Israel and the UN, amid allegations of anti-Israel bias within the organization.

The UN's relationship with Hamas has faced scrutiny in recent months. The UNRWA, a UN agency, is currently under investigation for alleged involvement in Hamas's October 7 terrorist attacks. Additionally, the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) recently discovered a Hamas tunnel underneath a UNRWA headquarters in Gaza. These incidents have added fuel to the accusations of bias and raised concerns about the UN's credibility in handling conflicts involving Hamas.

Israeli ambassador to the United Nations, Gilad Erdan, condemned the UN's stance, accusing it of promoting terrorism and blaming the victims. Erdan strongly criticized Griffiths, stating that calling Hamas a political movement rather than a terrorist organization ignores the brutal murder of civilians, systematic rape, and attempts to commit genocide.

The debate ignited by Griffiths's comments signals the deeply divided views on Hamas within the international community. While some argue that Hamas is a political movement with legitimate aspirations, others contend that their violent actions against civilians warrant the terrorist label. As tensions persist in the region, the issue of how to effectively address and engage with Hamas remains a complex challenge for the international community.