Hamas Diverts Jordan Aid Convoys in Gaza

Latest Developments

Hamas hijacked a major humanitarian aid shipment in the Gaza Strip, Washington said on May 2. U.S. State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller called the incident the “first widespread case of [aid] diversion that we have seen” in Gaza, noting that the trucks were held for “some time” before Hamas released them. The humanitarian aid transited from the Jordan Hashemite Charity Organization in Amman to Gaza via Israel’s newly-opened Erez crossing, between Israel and northern Gaza. Secretary of State Antony Blinken viewed the aid shipment in Amman on April 30, before it left for Gaza.

After the Jordanian military unloaded the aid shipment inside the Gaza Strip, Hamas seized the contents from a humanitarian aid distributor, eventually releasing it. The United Nations “is either in the process or has by now recovered that aid, but it was an unacceptable act by Hamas to divert this aid to begin with,” Miller said.

Expert Analysis

“I’m shocked, shocked to learn that aid diversion by Hamas is going on here. What really should be shocking is how anyone can pretend Hamas, with the United Nations Relief and Works Agency collaboration, hasn’t been impeding or diverting aid delivery for months.” — Richard Goldberg, FDD Senior Advisor

“Hamas steals aid intended for Palestinian civilians to supply its fighters trying to destroy Israel. The terrorist group then uses the ensuing international outrage regarding Palestinian suffering to hamper Israel’s efforts to end the Hamas threat.” — David May, FDD Research Manager and Senior Research Analyst

Israel Increases Aid to Gaza, Notes Third-Party Distribution Challenges

Israel has increased aid deliveries to Gaza by land, air, and sea in recent months. Israel’s Coordination of Government Activities in the Territories (COGAT) reported in its May 3 email newsletter that the Jewish state actively supports seven aid delivery routes spanning southern to northern Gaza. On May 1, COGAT and the Israel Defense Forces reopened the Erez crossing, allowing more humanitarian aid to pass into northern Gaza.

Israel also continues to back international efforts to increase aid to Gazans, supporting a multinational humanitarian maritime corridor across the Mediterranean Sea and providing protection for the temporary pier the United States is constructing off the Gaza coast.

Once the aid arrives, distribution within Gaza is a significant challenge. For example, Israel reported that it inspected and transferred 400 aid trucks to the Gaza Strip on May 2, yet United Nations aid agencies only distributed aid from 225 of those trucks. Israel maintains that there “is no limit to the amount of aid that can be facilitated into Gaza.”

Related Analysis

“Israel to Set Up Coordination Room for Gaza Aid,” FDD Flash Brief

“Egypt Opposes Coalition to Secure Gaza Aid Deliveries,” FDD Flash Brief

“New Maritime Humanitarian Corridor Opens for Gaza,” FDD Flash Brief