The terrorist group Hamas stormed the Abu Rashid food distribution center in Jabalia, operated by the World Food Programme (WFP), where they assaulted humanitarian workers and obstructed the delivery of aid intended for the civilian population of the Gaza Strip.
The incident was reported by the UN's Deputy Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process, Dr. Ramiz Alakbarov, who condemned the attack, although he avoided directly mentioning Hamas and referred to its perpetrators only as the "de facto authorities" of Gaza.
According to the United Nations, armed men entered the warehouse and attacked two drivers transporting humanitarian supplies. Alakbarov stated that the incident is part of a "dangerous pattern of intimidation, violence, and obstruction" against aid operations, which includes attempts at smuggling and attacks on humanitarian personnel.
The humanitarian aid entering Gaza
In his statement, the official urged all parties to respect international humanitarian law and ensure that organizations can operate without intimidation.
Israel, for its part, directly blamed Hamas for the incident. The Coordinator of Government Activities in the Territories (COGAT) asserted that the attack constitutes new evidence that the terrorist organization uses humanitarian aid for its own interests.
"The facts are clear: humanitarian aid is entering the Gaza Strip. Hamas is the one undermining the distribution mechanisms, seizing the aid, and preventing it from reaching the civilian population", COGAT stated in a press release.
This episode adds to the repeated Israeli allegations that Hamas systematically interferes with the distribution of international assistance, appropriating supplies and obstructing the work of humanitarian organizations, while the Gazan population continues to face a severe humanitarian crisis.
