Security Operation Targets Aid Theft in Gaza
In a significant security operation, more than 20 Palestinians identified as members of organized gangs involved in stealing humanitarian aid were killed by police forces in the Gaza Strip. This operation, which was carried out in collaboration with local tribal committees, comes amid rising accusations from relief organizations regarding the rampant theft of aid in the region, particularly in areas under Israeli military control. The Ministry of Interior in Gaza stated that this operation marks the beginning of a broader campaign aimed at eradicating the theft of aid trucks, which has severely impacted the local population, leading to increased signs of famine in southern Gaza.
The police emphasized that the campaign is not targeting specific clans but aims to dismantle the networks responsible for these thefts. Reports indicate that the security services have intercepted communications between the thieves and Israeli forces, suggesting a level of complicity or at least negligence on the part of the Israeli military in allowing these operations to occur. The Palestinian factions have been informed of the operation, which has received widespread national support.
Relief Organizations Raise Alarm Over Aid Theft
Relief organizations have expressed grave concerns over the ongoing looting of humanitarian aid in Gaza. According to reports from the Washington Post, organized gangs have been operating with impunity in areas controlled by the Israeli army, significantly hampering the distribution of essential aid. The looting has reportedly escalated to the point where aid truck drivers have been killed or kidnapped near the Kerem Shalom crossing.
An internal memo from the United Nations highlighted that these gangs benefit from the leniency, if not protection, of Israeli forces, which have largely refrained from intervening during thefts. The memo also pointed to a gang leader, Yasser Abu Shabab, who has allegedly established a base of operations in an area under Israeli control. Relief organizations have criticized the Israeli authorities for rejecting requests to enhance security measures for aid convoys, further complicating the already dire humanitarian situation in Gaza.
