Hamas Condemns Israel’s Use of Humanitarian Aid as “Bargaining Chip” in Gaza

Gaza (Quds News Network)- Hamas has welcomed the refusal by United Nations agencies and humanitarian organizations to cooperate with a proposed Israeli-US aid delivery mechanism for Gaza who stated that the plan violates core humanitarian principles and is intended to use control over life-sustaining aid as a tool of military strategy. Hamas reiterated its rejection of Israel’s use of humanitarian aid as a “bargaining chip.”

In a joint statement released Sunday, the UN and NGOs said the plan “contravenes fundamental humanitarian principles and appears designed to reinforce control over life-sustaining items as a pressure tactic — as part of a military strategy.”

The new plan would dismantle the existing UN-run distribution system. It would give the Israeli military control over aid flows and create “militarized zones” where Palestinians would be forced to collect food and supplies.

“It is dangerous,” the statement warned, “driving civilians into militarized zones to collect rations, threatening lives, including those of humanitarian workers, while further entrenching forced displacement.”

UN Secretary-General António Guterres and Emergency Relief Coordinator Martin Griffiths said they would not support any scheme that violates the principles of humanity, impartiality, independence, and neutrality. All UN and NGO leaders working in the Occupied Palestinian Territory have agreed on this position.

Israel has blocked the entry of food, medicine, and water into Gaza since ending the ceasefire in early March. UN agencies say warehouses are now empty, bakeries have shut down, and children are going hungry.
“The plan would leave large parts of Gaza — especially the most vulnerable — without aid,” the UN statement said.

Humanitarian teams remain in Gaza. They say they are ready to scale up life-saving operations as soon as the blockade ends.
“We have the supplies. We just need access,” the UN said, calling on world leaders to act now.

Since March 2, Israel has closed Gaza’s main crossings, halting the flow of food, medical aid, and other humanitarian supplies. This blockade has caused a severe and unprecedented decline in living conditions, with human rights organizations accusing Israel of using starvation as a weapon of war against Palestinians.

Hamas’s Response

In light of the recent statement issued by UN agencies and international organizations, along with remarks from UN officials, Hamas responded with:

• We categorically reject Israel’s use of humanitarian aid as a bargaining chip or as a means to impose Israeli conditions. The proposed mechanisms violate international law and clearly represent an attempt to evade Israel’s responsibilities under the Geneva Conventions.
• They are part of an ongoing strategy of starvation and forced displacement, aimed at enabling further atrocities. This situation demands a firm and unified stance from the international community, including the Arab world and Egypt.
• We commend the principled stance of the United Nations and international organizations in rejecting any arrangements that conflict with core humanitarian principles—particularly neutrality, independence, humanity, and impartiality.
• We reaffirm that the only entities authorized to oversee and distribute humanitarian aid are legitimate international and governmental agencies, not the occupying power or its affiliates.
• We urge the international community to reject the false narratives spread by the occupying power and to take immediate action to lift the blockade in its entirety. This includes the full and unimpeded opening of all border crossings to allow the entry of food and medical supplies under United Nations supervision—free from military or political interference.
• The continued obstruction of aid and the disruption of humanitarian distribution systems make it clear that the occupation is deliberately fostering famine. It bears full responsibility for the deepening humanitarian crisis in the Gaza Strip.