DaysofPal— Senior Hamas official Izzat al-Rishq strongly rejected recent accusations from U.S. officials alleging that the group has stolen humanitarian aid intended for civilians in the Gaza Strip.
In an official statement Saturday, Rishq said: “The allegations about Hamas stealing aid are politically motivated and baseless.”
The remarks come in response to unverified U.S. claims and media reports, which have fueled the creation of a controversial armed aid operation. That effort, according to humanitarian groups, has resulted in more than 1,000 deaths among desperate Palestinians seeking food.
A U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) study — not made public — reportedly investigated 156 incidents of lost or stolen aid between October 2023 and May 2025. It found no evidence that Hamas benefited from any U.S.-supplied assistance. The findings contradict the long-held narratives by Israeli and American officials used to justify restrictions on aid and the armed delivery operations.
Rishq criticized Washington’s stance as a distraction from “the real obstacle to any ceasefire or humanitarian agreement: the Israeli government led by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.”
“These statements by (US President Donald) Trump and (US presidential envoy for the Middle East Steve) Witkoff do not align with the assessments of the mediators and contradict the reality of the negotiation process,” he said.
He emphasized Hamas’ consistent engagement in the talks “with full national responsibility and flexibility” and its commitment to achieving “a comprehensive agreement that ends the aggression and alleviates the suffering” of Gaza’s population.
“We insisted that the agreement must ensure the clear and protected flow of humanitarian aid through the UN and its recognized agencies without any interference by the occupation,” Rishq stated.
He also noted that Hamas’ recent proposal included a “positive and flexible approach” to all key points, especially on aid delivery and the reduction of Israeli buffer zones inside Gaza, particularly near crowded residential areas, to allow displaced families to return.
Rishq urged Washington to “stop shielding the occupation” and end its “military and political cover for Israel’s ongoing war of extermination and starvation” in Gaza.
He called on the U.S. administration to take a “constructive role” in pressuring the Israeli government to seriously pursue a ceasefire and a prisoner exchange deal.
Since the beginning of Israel’s war on Gaza in October 2023, more than 59,600 Palestinians — mostly women and children — have been killed. The assault has decimated the enclave’s health care system and plunged its population into famine.
The International Criminal Court has issued arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, citing war crimes and crimes against humanity. Israel also stands trial at the International Court of Justice on charges of genocide.
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