Israel’s government has accused Hamas of the recurring cases of UNICEF trucks loaded with therapeutic food being attacked and robbed.
Israel’s government points to Hamas as the culprit, alleging systematic sabotage to profit from desperation while aid agencies oppose Israel’s claims without naming any culprit.
Israel’s claims come after armed militants seized four UNICEF trucks loaded with therapeutic food outside a Gaza compound, stealing supplies meant for 2,700 malnourished children.
The UNICEF Hijacking By Hamas
On 19 September 2025, gunmen intercepted the vehicles at the UNICEF facility entrance, holding drivers captive before unloading Ready-to-Use Therapeutic Food (RUTF) essential for treating acute malnutrition.
UNICEF labeled the robbery a violation of international law, noting it deprives vulnerable infants during a declared famine in northern Gaza.
The Coordination of Government Activities in the Territories (COGAT), Israel’s military special unit, directly implicated Hamas, claiming the group resells stolen goods on the black market despite Israel’s approval of the shipments for free distribution.
Eyewitnesses described the assailants as Hamas operatives commandeering the cargo, a move that halted operations and left thousands without critical nutrition.
Patterns of Aid Diversion by Armed Groups
Accusations against Hamas extend beyond this isolated theft as investigations reveal the group diverts up to 25% of incoming supplies, adding members in distribution networks to siphon resources for resale or military use.
A July 2025 USAID review found no proof of large-scale theft but acknowledged isolated incidents where aid reached fighters or markets.
The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNURWA) reported no specific claims of Hamas commandeering its distributions, yet UN estimates 68% of conflict-zone aid gets rerouted by militants.
Footage from May 2025 showed Hamas militants assaulting civilians raiding stockpiled warehouses, while July videos captured them discarding food to simulate shortages.
Since Hamas’s 2007 takeover, taxes and seizures on imports have funded operations, with annual diversions reaching Ksh64.6 billion ($500 million), as per reports by the Israeli government.
An 11-week aid suspension in 2025 resulted from these issues, worsening malnutrition rates.
Israel’s Limits and Hunger Claims
The humanitarian crisis in Gaza has intensified, with mounting accusations that Israel’s stringent policies are driving famine conditions, a claim fiercely debated amid ongoing conflict.
Reports from outside groups show that closing borders and checking aid closely are stopping food from getting through, putting many lives at risk.
Expert assessments confirmed a famine declaration in August 2025, attributing the dire situation to deliberate Israeli blockades initiated after October 2023.
Spatial analyses show deliberate blockades since October 2023 reduced calories per person, with over 500,000 facing starvation.
Aid groups like Doctors Without Borders warn of impending bans on NGOs, claiming Israel limits entries despite no-cap assertions.
UN reports indicate 88% of trucks were looted en route due to chaos from military operations, not just militant interference.
Testimonies describe the systematic destruction of health infrastructure, labeling starvation a policy tool.
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Israel refuses to facilitate aid but halts flows amid diversions, controlling more of Gaza territory two years into the conflict.
International and Local Reactions
The theft and obstruction of United Nations food aid in Gaza have triggered global outrage amid worsening famine conditions.
The UN Human Rights Office condemned the “weaponisation of food,” warning that blocking aid could constitute a war crime under international law.
Secretary-General António Guterres has called the situation intolerable, urging safe and unrestricted delivery of supplies.
Arab states, including Egypt, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and Jordan, have accused Israel of using starvation as collective punishment and demanded immediate access for aid convoys.
The Arab League has pushed for an international investigation into both Israeli policies and reported theft by armed groups in Gaza.
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The United States had urged Israel to secure aid routes but faced criticism after a USAID report found no evidence of systematic Hamas looting, contradicting earlier Israeli claims.
European nations and rights groups have also called for accountability and independent monitoring.
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