A United Nations deputy special coordinator reported on July 13 that armed personnel connected to Hamas disrupted food distribution operations in Jabalia, North Gaza, forcing humanitarian workers to cease activities at a World Food Programme facility. According to the UN official’s statement, the armed personnel entered a warehouse and physically assaulted two truck drivers delivering humanitarian supplies, characterizing the incident as part of a broader pattern of violence and obstruction affecting aid operations.
Hamas rejected the characterization of events, issuing a statement that disputed the UN’s account and framing the incident as a legitimate law enforcement action. The organization stated that the distribution center was not attacked but rather was the site of an official operation following the discovery of smuggled items concealed within humanitarian aid packages. Hamas indicated that Palestinian police identified an attempt to use humanitarian convoys to transport cigarettes and mobile phone screens for commercial purposes.
The UN official emphasized that such incidents represent an ongoing concern for the delivery of critical assistance to Gaza’s civilian population, which faces substantial humanitarian challenges. The disputed incident occurred against the backdrop of a broader conflict that began in October 2023, following an attack by Hamas-led fighters on Israeli communities. A ceasefire agreement brokered by the United States took effect in October of the previous year, though both sides have accused the other of violations. Since the ceasefire commenced, casualty figures have continued to mount on both sides, with tens of thousands of Palestinians reported killed since the conflict began. Negotiations regarding subsequent phases of the peace plan, which would involve Hamas disarmament and Israeli military withdrawal, have remained stalled for several months.