Israel Halts Gaza Humanitarian Aid Amid Urgent Push to Combat Hamas Theft

Israel has announced a significant halt to humanitarian aid deliveries into the Gaza Strip, effective immediately. The decision comes after Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Israel Katz issued a direct order to the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), demanding a concrete plan within 48 hours to prevent the Hamas terrorist organization from seizing and diverting aid intended for civilians.

The immediate trigger for this suspension was recent intelligence indicating that Hamas operatives are once again confiscating humanitarian supplies, particularly in northern Gaza, and stealing them from the populace. In response, all aid shipments from international organizations, excluding the US-run Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), have been paused.

This decisive move follows mounting pressure, including a recent threat from Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich to withdraw from the government coalition if decisive action wasn’t taken to stop aid from reaching Hamas. Smotrich emphasized Israel’s capability to address the issue, stating, “A country that succeeded in subduing Iran knows how to do the same in Gaza!”

Recent days saw substantial aid transfers, with 150 trucks carrying essential supplies like food, baby formula, and medical provisions entering northern and southern Gaza via the Zikim and Kerem Shalom Crossings on June 23-24, as confirmed by COGAT. However, reports from outlets like Abu Ali Express highlight that aid distribution points in Gaza City are under firm Hamas control. These reports detail how convoys, seemingly secured by “clan members” who are in fact Hamas operatives, directly enter areas fully controlled by the group.

The US-led GHF initiative, which commenced last month, has successfully delivered weekly food boxes directly to families, largely bypassing Hamas. This project operates primarily in southern Gaza, with distribution points in Khan Younis and near the Netzarim Corridor, as northern Gaza points are not established to encourage civilian movement southward.

Aid deliveries to Gaza are set to remain suspended until the IDF presents and implements a viable strategy to ensure that humanitarian assistance reaches the civilians it is intended for, without falling into the hands of Hamas.

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