On Saturday, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio strongly condemned Hamas following the release of a U.S. military drone video. The footage, made public by U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM), shows individuals suspected to be members of the terror group seizing a truck loaded with humanitarian aid destined for civilians in Gaza.
The video depicts a distressing scene: alleged Hamas operatives ambushing the driver of the aid truck, forcibly removing him to the road’s median, and then absconding with both the vehicle and its valuable cargo.
“Hamas continues to deprive the people of Gaza of the humanitarian aid they desperately need,” Rubio wrote on X. “This theft undermines international efforts in support of President Trump’s 20 Point Plan to deliver critical assistance to innocent civilians.”
Rubio criticized Hamas for being the main obstacle to aid reaching those in need, accusing them of obstructing essential relief efforts intended for the civilian population. He called on the group to cease their violent activities and theft, urging them to disarm and allow the people of Gaza the opportunity for a better future.
The truck, part of a larger humanitarian convoy, was reportedly carrying crucial supplies from international partners aimed at assisting residents in the northern region of Khan Younis, as stated by CENTCOM.
“They must lay down their arms and stop their looting so that Gaza can have a brighter future,” he added.
The truck was part of a humanitarian convoy carrying supplies from international partners to Gazans in northern Khan Younis, according to CENTCOM.
The incident was captured on video surveillance by the Civil-Military Coordination Center (CMCC) using a U.S. MQ-9 drone that was monitoring the implementation of the ceasefire between Hamas and Israel, the command noted.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio blasted Hamas Saturday after drone video surfaced showing suspected operatives of the terror group looting a truck carrying humanitarian aid bound for civilians in Gaza. (Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)
“Operatives attacked the driver and stole the aid and truck after moving the driver to the road’s median,” CENTCOM posted to X. “The driver’s current status is unknown.”
Nearly 40 nations and international organizations are coordinating humanitarian, logistical and security assistance for Gaza through the CMCC, the command said.
“Over the past week, international partners have delivered more than 600 trucks of commercial goods and aid into Gaza daily,” CENTCOM wrote. “This incident undermines these efforts.”
Nearly 40 nations and international organizations are coordinating humanitarian, logistical and security assistance for Gaza through the CMCC, according to CENTCOM. (Khames Alrefi/Anadolu via Getty Images)
The CMCC, located in southern Israel, opened Oct. 17, marking the establishment of a central hub for Gaza aid just days after a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas went into effect.
The center serves as the main hub for Gaza stabilization efforts and includes an operations floor designed to track real-time developments inside Gaza.
Data published in August by the United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS) showed that most of its aid entering the war-torn Gaza Strip had been looted inside the Palestinian territory.
