Western diplomats said Hamas has insisted on overseeing humanitarian aid
to the Gaza Strip. They said Hamas officers often hijacked aid convoys
and resold the goods on the black market.
"UNRWA condemns in the strongest terms the confiscation of its aid
supplies and has demanded that it is returned immediately," the UN agency
said. "UNRWA has a strict system of monitoring aid delivery and ensuring
that its assistance reaches only the intended beneficiaries. Our officials
were on the ground overseeing the delivery of our aid and taking all
possible steps to avoid its diversion."
Palestinian sources said Hamas has cracked down on relief groups and
charities throughout the Gaza Strip in wake of the 22-day war with Israel.
They said Hamas squads seized control of at least two charities in the
northern Gaza Strip while hijacking more than 63 tons of international
humanitarian aid in late January.
Hamas has acknowledged the seizure of UN supplies. Hamas Interior
Ministry spokesman Ihab Ghussein said UNRWA was not allowed to store the
blankets and food in facilities that did not belong to the relief agency.
The UN said it has distributed blankets and food to about 70,000 people
in the Gaza Strip since Israel declared a ceasefire in its war with Hamas on
Jan. 18. Officials said the aid, supplied by Arab and Western donors, would
continue.
"We are not going to punish the refugees for the irresponsible actions
of a few," UNRWA chief in Gaza John Ging said. "Whatever donors give us by
way of assistance has to be fully accounted for."