The Claim : Hamas is stealing aid and therefore food going into Gaza must be limited
Timeframe: June 2025
Counter claims:
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Cindy McCain, head of the World Food Programme, said that Hamas is not stealing aid (1:14)
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In February David Satterfield, Middle East envoy for humanitarian issues also said at that time that Israel had not provided evidence of Hamas stealing aid. He did say that there were criminal gangs stealing aid but didn’t indicate that the gangs were affiliated with Hamas, which the articles you cited do suggest.
- According to Al-Jazeera, Netanyahu has admitted to arming criminal gangs who are stealing food aid.
- James Elder, spokesperson for UNICEF says, “When it comes to Hamas aid diversion, show us the proof. It doesn’t exist.”