"Unfounded Allegations Countered": Hamas Responds to Trump's Baseless Claims
In a statement shared by the Turkish Anadolu Agency, Hamas has strongly denied allegations by U.S. President Donald Trump and the U.S. government that it stole humanitarian aid meant for Gaza. The denial comes in response to Trump's claims made on February 1, 2025.
Senior Hamas official Izzat al-Rishq stated that an internal U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) study covering October 2023 to May 2025 found no evidence that Hamas benefited from stolen U.S.-supplied aid. Al-Risheq urged Washington to stop using these allegations to shield Israel and divert attention from the real obstacle to peace, which he identified as the Israeli government led by Prime Minister Netanyahu.
To refute the theft claims, Hamas points to the USAID report as concrete evidence disproving the accusations. Additionally, Hamas stresses its full engagement and flexibility in ceasefire negotiations aimed at ending aggression and alleviating Gaza's suffering, contradicting the U.S. narrative put forth by Trump and others.
Al-Risheq also accused Israel of using food and medicine as tools of war against more than two million people in Gaza, a claim backed by reports and testimony from foreign groups like the United Nations. He condemned Trump's repeated claims that Israel is lying about Hamas taking and selling aid in Gaza, calling them baseless and politically motivated.
On a positive note, work is still being done on a plan to send help to Gaza, according to Axios, but Trump did not give any more information. On February 1, 2025, an Israeli-American hostage was handed over by Hamas fighters to a Red Cross team in Gaza City, marking a significant step towards peace.
In summary, Hamas's response to the U.S. accusations is a firm denial supported by a referenced USAID report and a political framing that indicts Israel and the U.S. for obstructing peace and humanitarian efforts rather than Hamas itself. The denial comes as a relief to many, as the situation in Gaza continues to be a pressing concern for the international community.
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