USAID Analysis – No Evidence Found of Massive Hamas Theft of Gaza Aid

A confidential U.S. government analysis, conducted by the Bureau of Humanitarian Assistance (BHA) within USAID, has found no evidence that Hamas systematically diverted or stole U.S.-funded humanitarian aid in Gaza. The internal review, completed in late June 2025 and not previously disclosed publicly, directly challenges a key justification for the controversial new aid delivery system backed by the U.S., Israel, and the private Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF).

Report Findings

The BHA analysis reviewed 156 cases of theft or loss of U.S.-funded supplies reported by U.S. aid partners from October 2023 through May 2025. According to internal slides seen by Reuters, none of the reports alleged that Hamas directly benefited from the stolen supplies. The incidents instead pointed to a range of other causes, including:

Cause of Loss	Number of Incidents
Unknown Perpetrators	63
Armed Actors (non-affiliated)	35
Unarmed Individuals	25
Direct Israeli Military Action	11
Corrupt Subcontractors	11
Aid Personnel Misconduct	5
Other/Unclassified	6

Importantly, one slide stated, “a review of all 156 incidents found no affiliations with U.S.-designated foreign terrorist organizations,” including Hamas.

State Department Response

Despite the findings, a State Department spokesperson dismissed the analysis, claiming there is video evidence showing Hamas looting aid. However, no such footage has been provided. The spokesperson also accused established aid organizations of concealing evidence of corruption.

Adding to the confusion, a White House spokesperson questioned the report’s legitimacy entirely, suggesting it may have been authored by a “deep state operative” aiming to discredit former President Donald Trump’s humanitarian agenda.

Contradictions on the Ground

Israel, which tightly controls aid access to Gaza, insists that Hamas seizes aid for its own purposes—either by redirecting supplies to fighters or by reselling them to civilians. It claims that Hamas has diverted up to 25% of incoming aid. Yet, like the U.S. government, Israel has not made public any documentation supporting these claims.

A Hamas official denied the allegations and accused Israeli forces of targeting Hamas-affiliated police and security personnel who were attempting to protect aid convoys—efforts that were allegedly coordinated with the United Nations.

The BHA analysis also noted that 44 of the 156 reported aid losses were either directly or indirectly caused by Israeli military actions. These included airstrikes, forced evacuations, and routing orders that led aid trucks through high-risk zones.

GHF and the Aid Debate

The Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, a new aid initiative involving a for-profit U.S. logistics firm led by former military personnel, has become a flashpoint in the larger aid debate. GHF claims it has ended Hamas’s control over aid by delivering it directly to civilians. But traditional aid organizations and the United Nations refuse to collaborate with GHF, citing violations of humanitarian neutrality.

USAID and its partners have raised concern over the $30 million in funding recently granted to GHF, especially since the normal requirement to vet staff and contractors for extremist ties was waived.

Key Observations

• The USAID report shows no systemic diversion of U.S. aid by Hamas but cautions that some aid may unintentionally reach Hamas-run civic administration, which is unavoidable due to vetting limitations in Gaza.
• Aid organizations are required to report all incidents of theft or loss, and the analysis suggests they may over-report suspicions involving groups like Hamas to protect funding.
• The dismantling of USAID under the Trump administration disrupted classified access for the BHA team, which may limit the scope of its intelligence cross-checks.
• The U.S. still lacks independent verification for Israeli claims of systematic Hamas aid theft, relying primarily on Israeli intelligence reports.

FAQs