• USAID analysis found no evidence of Hamas stealing US-funded humanitarian aid in Gaza.
• The analysis reviewed 156 incidents of reported aid loss between October 2023 and May.
• Majority of incidents attributed to unknown perpetrators or Israeli military actions.
• Claims of Hamas theft questioned by multiple sources, including Israeli military officials.
• UN agencies report dire humanitarian conditions in Gaza, exacerbated by a blockade.

An internal analysis conducted by the US Agency for International Development (USAID) has indicated that there is no evidence supporting systematic theft of US-funded humanitarian aid by Hamas in Gaza. The study reviewed 156 incidents of reported aid loss from partner organizations and concluded that no reports indicated that Hamas had benefited from these US resources, contradicting assertions made by Israel and supporting actions for new aid distribution systems, such as the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), according to Middle East Eye and Channel News Asia.

The USAID report pointed out that at least 44 of the 156 incidents were linked either directly or indirectly to Israeli military actions, including air strikes and directives that forced aid organizations to use risky delivery routes. Notably, it highlighted a lack of confirmed cases where Hamas was involved in the theft or diversion of these aids, reports Dawn and ABC News.

In stark contrast to Israel's long-standing claims, several Israeli military officials revealed that they had not found proof of Hamas systematically stealing aid from the United Nations. Instead, they described the UN aid distribution system as effective in delivering essential supplies to Gaza's population. This contradicts the narrative used to justify limiting humanitarian access to the territory, reported India Times and TRT Global.

It is noted that more than 1,000 Palestinians have reportedly been killed while trying to access aid, exacerbating a crisis described as nearing famine levels in Gaza. The UN has raised alarms regarding the dire humanitarian situation as the population faces extreme food shortages amid ongoing conflict, with many aid distribution sites deemed unsafe due to military operations, as detailed by Bangkok Post and Middle East Eye.

Despite the information from the USAID analysis, State Department officials have disputed the findings, labeling the analysis as potentially misleading and reiterating allegations that Hamas has regularly interfered with aid distribution, without providing corroborating evidence. This response highlights the contentious political environment surrounding humanitarian efforts in Gaza, according to Bangkok Post and Channel News Asia.