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The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) released drone footage on Sunday depicting armed and masked individuals in southern Khan Yunis attacking Gaza civilians who were attempting to collect humanitarian aid.
The video, recorded earlier that day, shows men throwing rocks and firing weapons at Palestinians trying to retrieve looted aid packages.
In an official statement, the IDF condemned Hamas, describing the group as a “brutal and murderous terrorist organization” that is deliberately starving the residents of Gaza.
The statement accused Hamas of obstructing the distribution of food, insisting the organization is “doing everything in its power to prevent the successful distribution of food in Gaza.”
The footage reveals a disturbing scene where civilians seeking essential aid are targeted by armed assailants. According to the IDF, these acts underscore Hamas’ willingness to harm its own people to maintain control and power.
The IDF also dismissed reports that Israeli forces had fired at civilians near a humanitarian aid distribution site, calling these allegations false based on an initial investigation.
The military emphasized its cooperation with the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation and international aid groups to ensure aid reaches Gaza’s residents rather than Hamas operatives.
Brigadier General Effie Defrin, the IDF spokesperson, addressed the ongoing humanitarian efforts from Rafah, a southern Gaza city. Defrin highlighted that despite Hamas’ obstruction, the IDF has already opened four aid distribution centers in Gaza and plans to open more.
“So far, we’ve opened four distribution centers, and we are intending to open more of them,” Defrin said, underlining the IDF’s commitment to expanding aid access.
Defrin added that the IDF has delivered over 16,000 food packages directly to Gaza residents and facilitated the entry of more than 1,000 humanitarian aid trucks into the Strip.
These developments come amid a worsening humanitarian crisis in Gaza, where the population faces acute shortages of food, water, and medical supplies due to ongoing conflict and a strict blockade. The IDF attributes the difficulties in aid delivery primarily to Hamas’ interference.
International organizations have repeatedly called for unimpeded humanitarian access to Gaza to address urgent civilian needs.
The IDF’s release of the footage seeks to highlight internal obstacles created by Hamas militants, who are accused of targeting fellow Palestinians in an effort to control resources.
As the humanitarian situation remains dire, the IDF has pledged to continue its aid distribution efforts while holding Hamas responsible for any delays or disruptions caused by the militant group’s actions.
The released footage and accompanying statements provide a stark view into the complexities of delivering humanitarian aid in Gaza, where civilians remain caught in the crossfire of political and military conflict.
This article was created using automation technology and was thoroughly edited and fact-checked by one of our editorial staff members