UN: Hamas threatens and assaults aid workers in Gaza, halts food distribution

The United Nations has reported that armed individuals, identified as Hamas members, are threatening and assaulting humanitarian aid workers in the Gaza Strip. These actions have led to the suspension of food distribution to Palestinian civilians, according to a statement from the UN's Middle East coordinator, Ramiz Alakbarov.

Alakbarov stated that humanitarian workers were forced by armed men to stop food distribution at a site in Jabalia over the weekend. While the UN has previously acknowledged that much of the aid entering Gaza has been looted by "armed actors" during the conflict, this is the first time the UN has specifically named Hamas in relation to such incidents.

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Humanitarian workers are put in danger, life-saving aid is impacted, and the humanitarian organizations' ability to operate is further limited, at a time when civilians across Gaza are still facing large and pressing humanitarian conditions.

The UN coordinator emphasized that these are not isolated events, but rather a "dangerous pattern" of intimidation, violence, and obstruction of humanitarian work. This includes attempts at smuggling and the misuse of humanitarian operations, which put aid workers' lives at risk and impede the delivery of life-saving assistance.

These hindrances occur at a critical time when civilians across Gaza face severe and urgent humanitarian conditions. The UN's ability to operate is further limited by these actions, exacerbating the already dire situation on the ground. Previous reports from various media outlets have also detailed instances of Hamas allegedly stealing and selling aid supplies on local markets at inflated prices.

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there is a growing dangerous pattern of intimidation, violence, and obstruction of humanitarian work, including smuggling attempts and misuse of humanitarian operations.