In response to the surge in looting that has plagued humanitarian aid convoys in Gaza, fighters from Hamas and various other factions have united to form a new armed force. This move, fueled by escalating public outrage over the theft of crucial supplies, aims to restore some order amid the chaos. Reports from residents and insiders indicate that this newly established group has been actively engaging in operations against looters, even resulting in armed confrontations, with some thieves reported as casualties.
Amid the turmoil, it has become clear that Hamas is trying to position itself as the guardian of aid distribution. This raises significant questions about what a post-war Gaza may look like and the challenges Israel will face in dealing with a group it has been trying—unsuccessfully, it seems—to dismantle for over a year. Israel asserts that Hamas has no place in governance, claiming they thwart orderly aid delivery.
The accusations fly in both directions. Israel accuses Hamas of hijacking the aid, while Hamas counters that Israel is deliberately inciting chaos by attacking the police forces tasked with protecting these convoys. The reality on the ground depicts an alarming scenario where armed gangs have increasingly ambushed supply trucks, pilfering goods and reselling them in Gaza’s markets at outrageous prices. It’s a double-edged sword: while the turmoil is aggravating public anger toward the Israeli military, it simultaneously puts Hamas under scrutiny for their failure to curb these rampant thefts.
As one local resident, Diyaa al-Nasara, poignantly expressed, “We are all against the bandits and looters so we can live and eat… now you are obliged to buy from a thief.” This sentiment reflects a growing desperation among the populace. In light of these issues, Hamas has initiated a new anti-looting force dubbed “The Popular and Revolutionary Committees,” aimed at taking decisive action against individuals who refuse to yield, according to a Hamas official who spoke on the condition of anonymity.
This new force, equipped with arms and reinforcements from allied factions, has reportedly executed at least 15 missions targeting these criminal elements across central and southern Gaza. This aggressive response underscores not only Hamas’s urgency to maintain control but also their attempt to validate their governance claims in the region.
As the gruesome conflict stretches into its 13th month, initiated by the devastating Hamas attacks on October 7, 2023, the consequences are catastrophic—with acute shortages of food, medicine, and other essentials driving the citizens of Gaza into despair. In a stark move last month, Israel halted the import of commercial goods, allowing only aid trucks to enter the besieged territory. Tragically, these convoys are carrying just a fraction of what is needed to avert a humanitarian catastrophe, as most residents are now homeless and financially crippled.
“It’s getting harder and harder to get the aid in,” remarked WHO spokesperson Margaret Harris, following a spate of looting over the weekend. She isn’t wrong—price gouging is rampant. Items previously costing a modest $10 to $15 for a sack of flour have skyrocketed to $100, while milk powder has seen a similar surge, now priced at 300 shekels. People in Gaza are increasingly voicing their desire for Hamas to tackle the looters head-on.
One displaced engineer from Gaza City, now residing in Deir Al-Balah, shared, “There is a campaign against thieves, we see that. If the campaign continues and aid flows, the prices will go down because the stolen aid appears in the markets at high cost.” This illustrates a flicker of hope amid the gloom, as civilians hope for more decisive action against looting.
In reaction to reports of nearly 100 trucks being looted just last week, Hamas attacked an armed group near an aid crossing, resulting in significant casualties among the bandits. Witnesses relayed an incident where Hamas fighters pursued suspected looters, leading to a deadly confrontation.
The Hamas official maintains that these occurrences signify their ongoing governance and presence in Gaza, insisting, “Hamas as a movement exists, whether someone likes it or not.” While they may not have the same strength as before, elements within the group are scrambling to provide for the displaced population.
The U.S. government is stepping in as well, imposing sanctions on six senior Hamas officials in an effort to curb the group’s activities amid the ongoing humanitarian crisis. This action comes as Washington strives towards a ceasefire and the safe return of hostages trapped in Gaza. The Treasury Department has disclosed that these sanctions focus on Hamas representatives abroad and individuals involved in funding and logistics for arms smuggling into Gaza.
As stated by Bradley Smith, the Treasury’s Acting Under Secretary for Terrorism and Financial Intelligence, “Hamas continues to rely on key officials who seemingly maintain legitimate, public-facing roles within the group, yet who facilitate their terrorist activities.” Among those sanctioned was a long-time member of Hamas’s military wing currently operating out of Turkey, with further individuals based in both Turkey and Gaza similarly targeted.
The U.S. has expressed concerns over Turkey sheltering Hamas leaders. In response to questions about the rumored relocation of certain Hamas leaders from Qatar to Turkey, State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller didn’t deny these claims but noted that the U.S. would communicate a clear message to Turkey that they cannot continue business as usual with the group. The tragic backdrop remains: following the initial Hamas-led assault in October 2023 that resulted in the deaths of over 1,200 individuals and the kidnapping of more than 250 hostages, retaliatory strikes from Israel have reportedly claimed more lives—over 43,500 in Gaza according to Palestinian health officials. The situation is dire, with civilians caught in the crossfire facing unimaginable hardships.
Edited by: Ali Musa
alimusa@axadletimes.com
Axadle international–Monitoring
