UN accuses Hamas of obstructing humanitarian aid in Gaza

The United Nations’ Deputy Special Coordinator for the Middle East peace process, Ramiz Alakbarov, said armed men linked to Hamas forced their way into a food‑distribution centre in Jabalia, northern Gaza, and entered a World Food Programme warehouse, assaulting two truck drivers. He condemned the actions as “intimidation, violence and obstruction” and warned that the incidents are part of an increasingly dangerous pattern that endangers humanitarian staff and hampers life‑saving aid.

Hamas denied the accusations, describing the raid as a police anti‑smuggling operation and rejecting the claim that it obstructed aid. The UN noted that the events are not isolated and called for the immediate cessation of interference with humanitarian operations.

The statement comes as Israel controls more than 60 % of the Gaza Strip, the cease‑fire agreed in October remains stalled, and the civilian population of roughly two million faces acute hardship and limited access to essential supplies.