Israeli Military Officials Find No Evidence of Hamas Systematically Diverting U.N. Aid

For nearly two years, Israel has maintained that Hamas diverts aid provided by the United Nations and other international organizations, using this claim to justify restrictions on food entering Gaza.

However, according to senior Israeli military officials and others familiar with the situation, no evidence has been uncovered to confirm that Hamas systematically misappropriated aid from the United Nations, the primary provider of emergency assistance to Gaza throughout most of the conflict.

Contrary to Israeli government criticisms, the military officials acknowledged that the U.N. aid distribution system has been largely effective in delivering food to Gaza’s vulnerable and starving population.

As the humanitarian crisis deepens with hunger reaching critical levels, Israel faces mounting international pressure regarding its war conduct and the severe suffering endured by civilians in Gaza. Medical professionals in the region report a rising number of patients suffering from starvation-related conditions, with fatalities increasing.

Last week, over 100 aid organizations and human rights groups issued warnings of impending "mass starvation" and called on Israel to ease restrictions on humanitarian aid. Additionally, the European Union and at least 28 governments, including key Israeli allies such as Britain, France, and Canada, jointly condemned Israel’s limited and controlled aid deliveries to Gaza’s two million residents.

Israel has largely dismissed these criticisms.

A government spokesperson recently stated that there is "no famine caused by Israel" and attributed food shortages instead to Hamas’s actions and coordination challenges within the United Nations.