A senior United Nations official says Hamas is obstructing humanitarian assistance in Gaza and endangering aid workers. The UN accuses the group of interfering with humanitarian deliveries and intimidating personnel involved in relief operations, making such work increasingly dangerous. In one reported incident, humanitarian activity halts after armed men enter a food distribution point in northern Gaza and assault two truck drivers at a World Food Programme warehouse, according to a UN statement. The UN official also warns that these actions disrupt the distribution of life-saving supplies to civilians in a war-affected area already facing a severe humanitarian crisis.
Hamas rejects the accusations, according to Al Jazeera, and denies interfering with aid distribution. The group also defends its actions against the UN’s allegations. The UN position, as reflected across multiple reports, is that the safety and ability of humanitarian workers to operate are being undermined by the reported conduct. The claims and denials are presented as part of an ongoing dispute over access and delivery of aid in Gaza amid the conflict.
