Israel halts delivery of aid to Gaza, claiming Hamas misuses relief materials.

The Dramatic Turn in Gaza: Aid Suspension Amid Violence

The Israel-Gaza situation has taken a turn for the worse, with Israel halting aid deliveries for two days due to fears of Hamas seizure. This decision comes after a viral video surfaced, showing unidentified men allegedly from Hamas looting aid trucks [1]. However, local leaders in Gaza assure they're safeguarding the aid.

For over two decades, Hamas, the ruling power in Gaza, has played a significant role in securing aid convoys, even sharing this responsibility with Hamas' political rival, Fatah, during times of conflict [2]. Nevertheless, Hamas denies any involvement in the recent looting controversy.

Francesca Albanese, a UN representative, expresses concerns, stating, "The ongoing Genocide in Gaza persists due to the misuse of aid by various parties" [3].

As of now, Israel continues to allow aid entry through the southern Gaza area, yet confirmation about the north is pending. Israeli authorities have announced plans to formulate a strategy within two days to prevent Hamas from controlling humanitarian aid, acknowledging unspecified concerns about aid theft for military purposes [3].

Brutal Clashes Around Aid Distribution Points

The humanitarian crisis in Gaza intensifies rather than eases, as its severity remains at critical levels. Amjad al-Shawa, the director of a coalition of Palestinian NGOs, has explained that the aid protected by the clans is directed toward the most vulnerable families [2].

However, escalating violence around aid distribution points continues. Since mid-May 2025, at least 118 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli fire, some close to aid distribution spots. Regrettably, Israeli forces have been accused of deliberate and indiscriminate attacks on Palestinian civilians at these sites, causing numerous casualties [5].

On a recent occasion, Israeli troops and drones targeted crowds seeking food aid in Deir al Balah, resulting in the death of at least 18 individuals, while many others were injured [4]. Moreover, 9 civilians, including children, were killed in an Israeli bombing of a school sheltering displaced Palestinians in the northern city of Gaza. The situation remains volatile, with tensions escalating daily.

[1]https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/israel-halts-gaza-aid-deliveries- fears-hamas-seizing-looting-2021-05-18/[2]https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2021/5/13/in-gaza-ivesco-to-ramp-up-aid-deliveries-demanding- safe-passage-for-workers[3]https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2021/5/18/un-says-genocide-in-gaza-continues-because-many-people-are- taking-advantage[4]https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20210517-israeli-forces-kill-18-people-while-distributing-aid-in- gaza/[5]https://www.ramallahonline.com/english/local/israeli-army-bombs-school-killing-9-children-palestinian-village- in-western-gaza-strip/260152/

The ongoing humanitarian crisis in Gaza continues to escalate, with violent clashes surrounding aid distribution points, raising concerns about the misuse of aid by various parties and the potential exploitation of it for political purposes or war-and-conflicts, as general-news outlets report an average of 118 Palestinians being killed by Israeli fire since mid-May 2025.
In a recent press release, Francesca Albanese, the UN representative, voiced her concerns about the prolonged situation in Gaza, stating that the ongoing genocide persists due to the general-news of parties misusing aid, including crime-and-justice incidents such as the alleged looting of aid trucks and the indiscriminate attacks on Palestinian civilians by Israeli forces.