World Food Programme (WFP) Executive Director Cindy McCain categorically rejected Israeli claims that Hamas is systematically stealing humanitarian aid in Gaza, stating in a CBS interview that there is “no evidence” of organized theft by the group or criminal networks.
McCain attributed chaotic scenes at aid distribution points to extreme desperation, noting that civilians “run for [aid trucks] because they are starving to death”. Her remarks counter Israeli officials’ assertions, which have repeatedly accused Hamas of diverting supplies without providing substantiated proof.
Over 2.2 million Palestinians in Gaza face severe food insecurity, with 500,000 at immediate risk of famine due to Israel’s 11-week blockade, which barred nearly all aid until mid-May 2025. The UN reports that food prices have surged by 1,400% compared to pre-blockade levels, while 92% of children under two and breastfeeding mothers lack adequate nutrition 12. Families scavenge for flour, leaves, and animal feed, with parents skipping meals to prioritize children. Bakeries supported by the WFP have shuttered, and community kitchens—once a lifeline—now operate at 25% capacity.
Israel’s restrictions on border crossings, coupled with airstrikes and destroyed infrastructure, have crippled aid operations. Only 100–115 trucks enter Gaza daily, far below the 600 required during the ceasefire. Roads are rendered impassable by debris, and Israeli attacks have destroyed 36 heavy machines critical for relief operations, including excavators and water trucks. The WFP and NGOs also face bottlenecks at Israeli checkpoints, where lengthy inspections and rerouting protocols delay deliveries.
McCain urged Israel to “open the crossings fully” and allow unhindered aid flow, emphasizing that “hunger, not hierarchy” drives looting. The WFP has 116,000 metric tons of pre-positioned food ready for delivery—enough to sustain 1 million people for four months—but cannot deploy it without border access. Humanitarian groups demand a ceasefire to safely distribute supplies, as grassroots volunteers risk bombardment to deliver meager rations.
While Israel insists its blockade targets Hamas, human rights organizations like Oxfam and Human Rights Watch condemn it as a “weapon of war” and “tool of extermination”. The UN and NGOs reject Israel’s proposed militarized aid hubs, arguing they would exclude vulnerable populations and compromise neutrality. Over 55 organizations have called for third-party investigations into aid barriers and sanctions on Israeli officials for potential violations of the Genocide Convention.