Israel has stopped sending aid to Gaza for two days. The Israeli government accuses Hamas of taking control of humanitarian supplies meant for civilians. Prime Minister Netanyahu and Defense Minister Katz announced they ordered the military to stop aid temporarily. They want to create a new plan to prevent Hamas from seizing aid in the future.
An Israeli official told Reuters that the pause is to develop a system to ensure aid reaches the right people. This move comes after videos showed armed masked men riding on aid trucks. Israeli authorities say these men are Hamas fighters who took the aid for their own use. Former Israeli Prime Minister Bennett also shared one such video on social media.
However, local Gaza tribes denied these claims. They said the masked men seen on trucks were tribal members protecting the aid, not Hamas militants. The Higher Commission for Tribal Affairs in Gaza explained that these tribes guard aid to help distribute it safely. Palestinian resistance group Hamas also rejected Israel’s accusations.
Amjad Al-Shawa, director of a Palestinian NGO, confirmed that tribal groups are helping distribute aid to needy families. The ongoing Israeli military operations have caused severe shortages of food and clean water in Gaza. Civilians there are struggling to survive amid the blockade and constant conflict.
This two-day aid suspension adds to the growing humanitarian crisis in Gaza. Both sides continue to blame each other while the people suffer. International groups have called for urgent aid access to help Gaza’s population survive the harsh conditions.