Focus on the BIG picture.
Sunday, Jun 01, 2025
Outside the box.
Hamas Urges Gazans to Avoid US-Linked Aid Amid Food Shortages
Militant group warns against a new aid distribution system linked to the US and Israel, as Gaza faces escalating food crises.
Hamas has issued a warning to residents of Gaza, advising them to steer clear of food aid deliveries associated with the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), which is backed by the US and endorsed by Israel.
The militant group claims that the biometric screening required for aid distribution is part of an Israeli scheme to gather intelligence on Gazans.
The GHF has recently been authorized by Israel to handle humanitarian aid deliveries within the Gaza Strip, despite significant resistance from the United Nations and various humanitarian organizations.
As the region faces severe food shortages due to a three-month-long blockade imposed by Israel, reports indicate that participation at distribution centers has been low, as residents fear repercussions.
In a statement from the Hamas-aligned Home Front, the group cautioned, "Do not go to Rafah...
Do not fall into the trap...
Do not risk your lives.
Your homes are your fortress.
Staying in your neighborhoods is survival, and awareness is your protection." The statement reflects a broader concern among Gazans regarding safety and privacy amid aid distribution efforts.
The GHF has announced plans to establish four distribution hubs near Israeli military positions, where private security contractors will manage access for pre-screened recipients.
The organization aims to deliver food packages to nearly one million Palestinians, which is approximately half of Gaza’s population, by the week's end.
Israeli officials have underscored that the GHF initiative is a US-backed endeavor and emphasized that Israeli forces will not be present at the distribution hubs.
The intention behind the biometric screening is to ensure that no individuals with affiliations to Hamas receive aid, as per statements from Israeli representatives.
The introduction of this aid scheme has prompted questions regarding its impartiality, as many humanitarian agencies, including the International Committee of the Red Cross, criticize it as a potential weaponization of assistance.
The UN and most humanitarian organizations have called for humanitarian aid to be managed by independent entities, underscoring that, "Humanitarian assistance must not be politicized or militarized," according to Christian Cardon, chief spokesman of the International Committee of the Red Cross.
The militant group claims that the biometric screening required for aid distribution is part of an Israeli scheme to gather intelligence on Gazans.
The GHF has recently been authorized by Israel to handle humanitarian aid deliveries within the Gaza Strip, despite significant resistance from the United Nations and various humanitarian organizations.
As the region faces severe food shortages due to a three-month-long blockade imposed by Israel, reports indicate that participation at distribution centers has been low, as residents fear repercussions.
In a statement from the Hamas-aligned Home Front, the group cautioned, "Do not go to Rafah...
Do not fall into the trap...
Do not risk your lives.
Your homes are your fortress.
Staying in your neighborhoods is survival, and awareness is your protection." The statement reflects a broader concern among Gazans regarding safety and privacy amid aid distribution efforts.
The GHF has announced plans to establish four distribution hubs near Israeli military positions, where private security contractors will manage access for pre-screened recipients.
The organization aims to deliver food packages to nearly one million Palestinians, which is approximately half of Gaza’s population, by the week's end.
Israeli officials have underscored that the GHF initiative is a US-backed endeavor and emphasized that Israeli forces will not be present at the distribution hubs.
The intention behind the biometric screening is to ensure that no individuals with affiliations to Hamas receive aid, as per statements from Israeli representatives.
The introduction of this aid scheme has prompted questions regarding its impartiality, as many humanitarian agencies, including the International Committee of the Red Cross, criticize it as a potential weaponization of assistance.
The UN and most humanitarian organizations have called for humanitarian aid to be managed by independent entities, underscoring that, "Humanitarian assistance must not be politicized or militarized," according to Christian Cardon, chief spokesman of the International Committee of the Red Cross.
