“De facto authorities” invaded and assaulted staff at the Abu Rashid food distribution point in Jabalia on Saturday, United Nations Deputy Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process Dr. Ramiz Alakbarov complained on Sunday, while notably failing to name Hamas in his statement.
Hamas terrorists invaded the warehouse, operated by the World Food Programme (WFP), and assaulted two drivers who were delivering humanitarian supplies, according to the UN.
Asserting that he “strongly” condemned the incident, Alakbarov acknowledged there was a “dangerous pattern of intimidation, violence and obstruction, including smuggling attempts, targeting and abusing humanitarian operations” being carried out by the “de facto authorities.”
Though Hamas went unnamed in the statement, Alakbarov labeled Israel’s expansive control of the territory as a major threat to humanitarian supplies in the Palestinian territory.
“The expansion of areas under Israeli control is further reducing the space available to civilians, making it imperative that humanitarian assistance is able to move safely and reach people in need without interference,” he wrote. “Under international humanitarian law, all parties must respect and protect humanitarian personnel, facilities and relief supplies, and refrain from actions that obstruct humanitarian operations..."
“The people of Gaza have already endured immense suffering. They cannot be subjected to further delays or disruptions in the delivery of life-saving assistance. I reiterate that humanitarian organizations must be able to carry out their work safely, independently, impartially and without fear of intimidation or violence.”
COGAT condemns incident as part of Hamas intimidation
The Coordinator of Government Activities in the Territories (COGAT) also condemned the incident, noting that it is part of a pattern of intimidation employed by the terror group.
“This constitutes further clear evidence that Hamas cynically exploits the humanitarian space and the aid intended for the residents of the Gaza Strip for its own purposes,” COGAT wrote. “The facts are clear: humanitarian aid is entering the Gaza Strip. Hamas is the party undermining the distribution mechanisms, seizing humanitarian aid, and preventing it from reaching the civilian population.”