According to The New York Times (NYT), Israeli officials, who requested anonymity, have admitted that Israel has long used the claim that “Hamas systematically steals aid” to justify blocking humanitarian assistance to Gaza. However, the officials stated that the Israeli military has never found any evidence to support this claim.
The officials noted that Israel has been using this argument for nearly two years, but no proof has been uncovered. They also highlighted that the United Nations’ aid distribution system in Gaza was far more systematic and efficient than the current one.
The officials revealed that the Israeli military conducted an investigation into the allegations of Hamas stealing aid but found no evidence.
The issue was reportedly discussed with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s military advisor, who raised concerns about blocking UN aid and the Gaza Humanitarian Fund (GHF) being the sole organization responsible for distribution in the region. However, the government rejected these concerns.
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