Allegations that Hamas is stealing aid intended for the civilian population in Gaza have become a recurring theme in discussions surrounding the ongoing humanitarian crisis. These claims, often amplified in media coverage, warrant careful scrutiny given their potential impact on aid delivery and public perception.

the Surveillance Argument

A central argument against the veracity of these claims rests on Israel’s extensive surveillance capabilities over Gaza. The continuous presence of surveillance drones provides near-constant monitoring of the territory.

The argument posits that Israel has a fleet of surveillance drones constantly hovering over the tiny strip of land that is Gaza, monitoring every inch of the territory. If Hamas were systematically diverting aid, it would likely be captured on video. The absence of such evidence raises questions about the validity of the accusations.

Without providing concrete evidence, such as video footage from it’s drones, the claim that Hamas is stealing aid is viewed with skepticism. Some suggest that this narrative is being used to rationalise its plans to starve the people of Gaza to death through months of an aid blockade or force them to flee into neighbouring Sinai.

Counter-Narratives and Aid Organizations

Adding to the complexity, numerous charities and aid agencies operating in Gaza dispute the claims of widespread aid theft by Hamas. These organizations, deeply involved in the day-to-day distribution of resources, maintain that aid is reaching its intended recipients.

The Logic of Self-Preservation

Another outlook challenges the logic behind the alleged aid theft. It is indeed argued that Hamas fighters, like all residents of Gaza, are directly affected by the aid shortages. The idea that they would intentionally deprive their own families of essential resources is viewed as counterintuitive.

The notion that Hamas is stealing aid makes sense only to a racist, European colonial mindset in which Hamas fighters are viewed as bogeymen figures indifferent to the deaths of their own children, wives and parents.

Alternative Explanations: Crime Families and Institutional collapse

An alternative explanation points to the potential role of powerful families, including those with criminal ties, in the looting of aid. This issue has reportedly been exacerbated by the disruption of Gaza’s civilian police force.

The absence of law enforcement has created a vacuum, allowing the strongest extended families in Gaza – frequently enough crime families with significant private arsenals – to loot the aid. This situation is described as an entirely predictable outcome of Israel’s policy to smash all of Gaza’s institutions, including its hospitals, government offices, and police stations.

Historical Context and Allegations of Collusion

The article also raises concerns about historical relationships between Israel and Palestinian crime families, suggesting that these connections may be exploited to undermine Palestinian national movements.

Israel has long cultivated close ties to Palestinian crime families, because they provide a potential alternative, and more co-optable, power base to the Palestinian national movements and are a good source of collaborators.

The Dismantling of the aid system

The ultimate aim, according to this perspective, is to justify the dismantling of the existing aid system and replace it with a militarized alternative. This new system is allegedly designed to control the movement of Palestinians and potentially facilitate their displacement.

The evidence suggests Israel is encouraging these crime families to loot the aid precisely to justify its dismantling of an existing aid system that works remarkably well,given the catastrophic circumstances in Gaza,and replace it with its own militarised,wholly inadequate “aid distribution” system,which is designed only to herd Palestinians into the southern-most tip of Gaza,ready to be expelled into Sinai.

Media Responsibility

The article concludes with a strong condemnation of media outlets that uncritically repeat claims of hamas aid theft. Such reporting is seen as contributing to a disinformation campaign that could have dire consequences.

No journalist ought to be repeating Israel’s obvious disinformation.To do so is to collude in the promotion of lies to justify genocide.