A recent internal analysis by a US government agency is stirring up the ongoing debate about aid distribution in Gaza. Contrary to claims from Israeli and US officials, the report shows no evidence that Hamas systematically stole US-funded humanitarian aid. That’s a major twist, considering one of the top arguments for introducing armed private aid operations was to stop such alleged theft. So, what’s really happening behind the scenes?
Findings
The analysis was carried out by the Bureau for Humanitarian Assistance (BHA), part of the US Agency for International Development (USAID). It reviewed 156 reports of theft or loss of US-funded aid from October 2023 to May 2024. This wasn’t a casual review either — it was based on data from UN agencies and other aid partners on the ground in Gaza.
Here’s the bombshell: the review found zero reports directly linking Hamas to any of the stolen or lost aid. In fact, most incidents couldn’t be linked to any specific group at all. Sure, some involved armed actors, others corrupt subcontractors, and even a few aid group employees. But as for a pattern of Hamas looting? It just didn’t show up.
Breakdown
Let’s take a look at the numbers from the report:
| Incident Source | Number of Cases |
|---|---|
| Unknown Perpetrators | 63 |
| Armed Actors (unspecified) | 35 |
| Unarmed People | 25 |
| Israeli Military Actions | 11 |
| Corrupt Subcontractors | 11 |
| Aid Group Personnel | 5 |
| Other / Unclear Circumstances | 6 |
Interestingly, the report noted that at least 44 incidents were either directly or indirectly caused by actions from the Israeli military — like airstrikes, forced evacuations, or directing aid convoys into risky zones.
Politics
Here’s where things get murky. Despite the findings, a State Department spokesperson challenged the report, claiming there’s video evidence of Hamas looting. But they didn’t provide any footage when asked. On top of that, they accused long-standing aid groups of covering up corruption. Meanwhile, Israel claims Hamas has stolen as much as 25% of all incoming aid, embedding its fighters into convoys and using the goods to manipulate local civilians.
But here’s the catch: the USAID report says partners may actually over-report Hamas involvement out of fear of losing US funding. It’s a classic case of incentives shaping narratives.
Context
Aid groups working in Gaza are already required to vet their employees and suppliers for extremist ties. But verifying recipients is nearly impossible in war zones. That’s led to accusations that some aid might still reach Hamas, even unintentionally.
Plus, USAID has been in the process of being dismantled, with its responsibilities being absorbed into the State Department. Staff also lost access to classified intelligence systems, so it’s possible there’s information they simply couldn’t review.
Trust
So where does this leave us? Well, it’s complicated. One thing’s clear — there’s no documented, systematic aid theft by Hamas in the official USAID data. That doesn’t mean it hasn’t happened. But it does mean the narrative used to justify new military-backed aid operations needs a closer look.
Meanwhile, both the US and Israel continue to rely on intelligence that hasn’t been independently verified. And the UN, along with other global agencies, remains skeptical of new players like the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, which bypass traditional channels and raise serious questions about neutrality.
In war, facts often get buried under assumptions. But for now, the evidence points to a more complex — and less black-and-white — picture of aid distribution in Gaza.
FAQs
Did Hamas steal US aid?
No direct evidence shows Hamas stole US-funded aid.
Who caused most aid losses?
Many losses were due to unknown actors or Israeli actions.
How many incidents were studied?
USAID analyzed 156 aid theft or loss reports.
Is Hamas mentioned in reports?
No reports directly blamed Hamas for stealing aid.
Why do some blame Hamas?
Some over-report to avoid losing US funding.
