During a recent House Foreign Affairs Committee hearing, Samantha Power, administrator for the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), addressed allegations of Hamas targeting Palestinian civilians working with international aid organizations in Gaza. Power stated that US officials have not seen evidence to support these claims, as reported by their aid partners in the region.
Power emphasized that trusted partners such as the World Food Programme and UNICEF have not reported any obstructions by Hamas in the distribution of humanitarian assistance. She also mentioned that the Israel Defense Forces have not reported any such interferences by Hamas.
Despite the concerns raised by Democratic Rep. Kathy Manning regarding Hamas's actions in Gaza, Power reiterated that there have been no reports of Hamas impeding the delivery of aid or systematically diverting food assistance in the region.
Power's statements shed light on the ongoing efforts to provide humanitarian assistance in Gaza amidst the complex political and security challenges in the region. The assurance from USAID's administrator regarding the unimpeded distribution of aid by Hamas is crucial in ensuring that essential resources reach those in need.