The Gaza Government Media Office has vehemently rejected a recent statement by the United States Central Command (CENTCOM) alleging that Hamas fighters looted a humanitarian aid truck in northern Khan Younis.

In its official statement, the Media Office stressed that Palestinian police forces have been at the forefront of escorting and protecting humanitarian convoys, ensuring that food, medical supplies, and relief materials reach warehouses for fair distribution to civilians across the Strip.

The Office underscored the immense sacrifices of Gaza’s police and security forces, who have suffered over 1,000 martyrs and hundreds of injuries while safeguarding aid deliveries amid relentless Israeli bombardment and ground incursions. Such figures, it argued, utterly contradict the baseless claims of looting or theft made by CENTCOM.

“A Deliberate Attempt to Mislead the World”

The Gaza Media Office accused the United States of attempting to “mislead global public opinion” through unsubstantiated accusations. It highlighted that CENTCOM’s statement — which admitted to having only “observed suspected Hamas elements” without providing any evidence, timestamps, or verifiable footage — amounted to nothing more than propaganda designed to justify Washington’s alignment with Israel’s narrative.

The Office questioned the identity of the unnamed “international partners” cited by CENTCOM, noting that no international organization operating in Gaza — including the UN, the Red Crescent, or other relief agencies — has ever reported incidents of police involvement in theft or misappropriation of aid.

Instead, the statement attributed sporadic looting incidents to armed gangs fostered and protected by the Israeli occupation, which, it said, seeks to sow chaos and undermine public confidence in local institutions. International organizations, the Office added, have repeatedly commended the cooperation and professionalism of Gaza’s security forces in ensuring aid reaches those in need despite the blockade.

“Fabricated Footage, False Numbers”

The Media Office further dismissed CENTCOM’s mention of an alleged stolen ambulance and truck as a “blatant fabrication” unsupported by any credible recording or proof. The supposed video evidence, it stated, contains no actual footage of theft — a clear indication that the accusation is based on a manufactured narrative designed to tarnish Gaza’s image.

It also corrected CENTCOM’s figures regarding humanitarian operations, clarifying that only about 22 organizations are currently active in Gaza — far fewer than the “nearly 40” cited — and that most face systematic Israeli restrictions impeding the entry and movement of life-saving aid.

Silence on Israeli Crimes

The statement condemned the silence of the United States regarding Israel’s ongoing violations of the ceasefire, including the killing and arrest of civilians, repeated military incursions, and the deliberate obstruction of fuel and medical supplies. The Office argued that Washington’s focus on false allegations against the Palestinian police, while ignoring Israel’s crimes, exposes its complete bias and loss of credibility as a supposedly neutral observer.

The Gaza Media Office concluded by holding the United States and its Central Command fully responsible for spreading false claims and fueling misinformation that undermines humanitarian work. It called on international mediators to intervene urgently to compel Israel to respect the ceasefire, ensure unhindered aid access, and hold the occupation accountable for its war crimes.

Hamas: “US CENTCOM’s Lies Aim to Reduce Aid to Gaza”

The Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas) also released a statement denouncing CENTCOM’s allegations as baseless fabrications intended to justify reducing humanitarian aid to Gaza’s already starving population.

Hamas emphasized that its police and security personnel have sacrificed over a thousand martyrs in the line of duty, working relentlessly to protect and distribute aid under siege conditions. The movement stated that the chaos and looting observed in earlier periods immediately ceased once Israeli forces withdrew, proving that the occupation itself had instigated and managed the disorder.

The movement pointed out that no complaints have been filed by any international or local humanitarian organizations about aid theft, underscoring that CENTCOM’s claim is a fabricated scene constructed to justify collective punishment and the tightening of the blockade.

“America Needs a Conscience, Not Drones”           

In a powerful rebuke, Hamas accused the US of turning a blind eye to the 254 Palestinians killed since the ceasefire began, 91% of whom were civilians. It noted that US surveillance drones — which claim to monitor Gaza — have failed to document Israel’s daily violations, the destruction of homes, and the expansion of the “yellow line” fire-control zone, which effectively seizes over 35 square kilometers of Gaza’s territory.

The statement added that US monitoring has also ignored the severe humanitarian crisis, including the shortage of fuel and food, and the absence of protein-rich foods like eggs and meat for two years. Hamas reaffirmed that only 135 aid trucks currently enter the Strip each day — a fraction of what is needed — and demanded this number be urgently increased.

Concluding its statement, Hamas accused the US administration of complicity in Israel’s blockade, asserting that Washington’s moral failure and blind support for the occupation make it a partner in the suffering of the Palestinian people.

“The United States does not need more drones,” Hamas declared.

“It needs a conscience — and the courage to stop justifying Israel’s crimes and to enforce the principles of humanity it claims to uphold.” (ILKHA)