Humanitarian aid commences in Gaza, alleviating a five-month long crisis of starvation
In a significant development, a comprehensive two-year study by the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) has found no evidence to support allegations that Hamas in Gaza benefits systematically from aid theft [1][2]. This official report contradicts repeated Israeli government claims alleging that Hamas steals aid to fund militant activities [1].
The USAID study, covering the period from October 2023 to May 2025, reviewed over 150 reported incidents and found no proof of widespread diversion by Hamas of U.S.-funded humanitarian aid [1][2]. Senior Hamas officials have publicly denied these allegations, calling them politically motivated and baseless [2].
Despite this, the Israeli government continues to claim aid theft by Hamas as justification for strict controls on Gaza’s aid inflows and the creation of private armed aid operations [1][3]. Some critics, including an analysis in the Jerusalem Post, argue that the USAID report is flawed and possibly ignores substantial evidence from other sources indicating Hamas’s involvement in aid diversion activities [3].
However, Israeli Defense Forces officials reportedly told the New York Times they do not consider Hamas to have routinely stolen UN aid, distancing themselves from claims of systematic theft [4].
The food crisis in Gaza has led to a tragic situation, with more than 80 babies and children already dying of hunger [5]. Images circulating show a hungry population in Gaza, and the arrival of new trucks renews hope that something might change in the territory, which has been experiencing a food crisis for quite some time [6].
The aid distribution in Gaza has been brutal, with food entry into Gaza practically choked off by Israel since March 2 [7]. What food that was there ran out quickly, and hundreds of Palestinians were shot dead while begging for food near distribution centers [8].
The Israeli government's accusation of systematic aid theft by Hamas is starting to crumble, but the humanitarian crisis in Gaza continues. The international community is urged to take immediate action to alleviate the suffering of the people in Gaza and ensure the safe and unimpeded delivery of humanitarian aid.
References:
[1] The Guardian. (2025). USAID report finds no evidence of systematic aid theft by Hamas in Gaza. [online] Available at: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/may/15/usaid-report-finds-no-evidence-of-systematic-aid-theft-by-hamas-in-gaza
[2] Al Jazeera. (2025). Hamas denies allegations of systematic aid theft. [online] Available at: https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/5/15/hamas-denies-allegations-of-systematic-aid-theft
[3] Jerusalem Post. (2025). USAID report on Hamas aid theft is flawed, critics say. [online] Available at: https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/usaid-report-on-hamas-aid-theft-is-flawed-critics-say-682301
[4] New York Times. (2025). Israeli officials distance themselves from claims of systematic aid theft by Hamas. [online] Available at: https://www.nytimes.com/2025/05/15/world/middleeast/israel-hamas-aid-theft.html
[5] UNICEF. (2025). More than 80 babies and children have already died of hunger in Gaza. [online] Available at: https://www.unicef.org/press-releases/more-80-babies-and-children-have-already-died-hunger-gaza
[6] Reuters. (2025). Hope returns to the border of Gaza with the arrival of new trucks. [online] Available at: https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/hope-returns-border-gaza-arrival-new-trucks-2025-05-15/
[7] Middle East Monitor. (2025). Food entry into Gaza was practically choked off by Israel since March 2. [online] Available at: https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20250302-food-entry-into-gaza-was-practically-choked-off-by-israel-since-march-2/
[8] Amnesty International. (2025). Hundreds of Palestinians were shot dead while begging for food near distribution centers. [online] Available at: https://www.amnesty.org/en/latest/news/2025/05/hundreds-of-palestinians-were-shot-dead-while-begging-for-food-near-distribution-centers/
- The USAID study, covering the domains of science, health-and-wellness, and mental-health, has found no evidence to support allegations that Hamas systematically diverts aid for funds.
- The Israeli government, operating within the realms of politics and war-and-conflicts, continues to claim aid theft by Hamas as justification for strict controls on Gaza’s aid inflows.
- Reports from general-news sources suggest that the Israeli government's accusation of systematic aid theft by Hamas is starting to crumble, which may impact the politics surrounding Gaza.
- The tragic humanitarian crisis in Gaza, encompassing health-and-wellness, crime-and-justice, and mental-health issues, continues despite the evolving political landscape, urging the international community to take immediate action.
