ISLAMABAD: Israel has suspended the delivery of humanitarian aid into northern Gaza, citing concerns that Hamas may be intercepting supplies intended for civilians.
However, aid deliveries through southern Gaza continue, according to Israeli officials.
The announcement came after a video surfaced showing masked men riding atop aid trucks—some armed, others holding sticks.
While some Israeli officials alleged these individuals were linked to Hamas, Gaza’s Higher Commission for Tribal Affairs insisted the escorts were local clans safeguarding aid, not militants.
Tribes Deny Hamas Role in Aid Distribution
In a statement, the Commission said the convoy protection was “managed solely through tribal efforts” and denied any involvement from Palestinian factions.
They emphasized that the operation was designed to deter looters and prevent misappropriation of aid, not to facilitate control by Hamas.
Hamas, which ruled Gaza for over 20 years and now holds only partial control after nearly two years of war, also denied any role in the aid process.
Aid groups and civil society actors—including Hamas’ rival, Fatah—have increasingly played a role in managing aid distribution, amid ongoing Israeli bombardments and political uncertainty.
Humanitarian Crisis Deepens Amid War
The Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, a US- and Israeli-backed organization, confirmed on X that it was the only group allowed to distribute food in the region on Thursday.
It was exempted from a two-day aid suspension enforced by Israel.
The war has left most of Gaza’s population of 2 million displaced, with severe shortages of food, water, and medicine.
Palestinian officials report frequent looting of aid trucks and warehouses, sometimes by desperate civilians and sometimes, Israel claims, by Hamas operatives.
Amjad al-Shawa, director of a Palestinian NGO coalition, said the clans were protecting the aid to ensure it reached vulnerable families.
Abu Salman Al Moghani, a tribal representative, said the Wednesday operation was meant to “stop thieves and aggressors” from stealing food meant for the people.
The situation remains politically charged, with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu facing mounting pressure from within his right-wing coalition over aid policy and ceasefire talks.
Former Prime Minister Naftali Bennett, sharing the video of masked men, accused Hamas of hijacking the aid effort—a claim denied by both tribal leaders and Hamas.
The Gaza conflict, now approaching two years, began with Hamas’ October 7, 2023 attack that killed nearly 1,200 Israelis and led to 251 hostages being taken.
In retaliation, Israel launched a military campaign that has since killed more than 56,000 Palestinians, most of them civilians, according to Gaza’s health ministry.
Local authorities say at least 118 Palestinians have been killed since Wednesday, including some at or near aid distribution points.
Israel continues to hold out against ceasefire proposals, and 20 hostages remain in Hamas custody, with 30 more confirmed dead but still held.Gaza, Aid, Conflict
