Israel suspended humanitarian aid deliveries to northern Gaza on Thursday, citing intelligence that Hamas was seizing supplies, while tribal leaders and Palestinian organizations countered that armed clans were protecting convoys from looters. The decision, announced by Prime Minister Netanyahu and Defense Minister Katz, followed a viral video showing masked men with rifles and sticks aboard aid trucks. Netanyahu ordered the military to draft a plan within 48 hours to prevent Hamas from accessing aid.
The Higher Commission for Tribal Affairs, representing Gaza’s influential clans, stated the armed men were part of a community-led security initiative "managed solely through tribal efforts," with no involvement from Hamas or other factions. Amjad al-Shawa, director of a Palestinian NGO network, confirmed clans were safeguarding deliveries for vulnerable families amid desperate shortages. Hamas, which has governed Gaza since 2007 but now controls only pockets of territory, denied diverting aid.
The U.S.- and Israeli-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF) remained exempt from the suspension, distributing food in southern and central Gaza. Over 90% of Gaza’s 2.3 million residents face severe food insecurity, with aid warehouses frequently looted by starving civilians. Israel alleges Hamas sells seized supplies to fund operations—a claim Hamas rejects. "The clans prevent thieves from stealing food meant for our people," said tribal representative Abu Salman Al Moghani.
Former Israeli PM Naftali Bennett, a Netanyahu rival, shared the video claiming it proved Hamas "control" of aid—a narrative tribal leaders called misleading. Netanyahu faces pressure from far-right coalition members threatening to quit over aid concessions. Meanwhile, Gaza health authorities reported 118 Palestinians killed by Israeli fire since Wednesday, including attacks near aid points. The war has now claimed over 56,000 Palestinian lives since October 2023.