UN Confirms Hamas Seizes Food Distribution Center in Gaza's Jabalia Area

The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) announced on Monday that its food distribution center in Jabalia, northern Gaza Strip, ceased operations over the weekend after Hamas militants forcibly took control of the facility and assaulted humanitarian aid truck drivers. According to the UN, the militants seized the organization's food warehouse and violently attacked two truck drivers delivering aid, leading to the suspension of daily food distributions that served thousands of families in northern Gaza.

Following the incident, the Coordinator of Government Activities in the Territories (COGAT) condemned the takeover via its Arabic-language "Almunsiq" page, addressing Gaza residents directly. COGAT stated, "Hamas militants forcibly entered the WFP-operated food distribution center in Jabalia, causing the halt of food aid that daily supported thousands of families." The statement accused Hamas of exploiting humanitarian aid for its criminal interests, disregarding the population's needs, and focusing solely on maintaining power, instilling fear, and diverting aid meant for civilians.

COGAT also cited comments from the UN humanitarian coordinator, Dr. Ramiz Alakbarov, who described the event not as isolated but part of a recurring pattern of intimidation, violence, and disruption of humanitarian efforts in Gaza. The coordinator emphasized that while humanitarian aid reaches Gaza, Hamas interferes with distribution mechanisms to prevent aid from reaching the people. COGAT pledged to prevent Hamas from exploiting humanitarian channels and vowed to act against any attempts to undermine aid intended for the civilian population.