Report: Hamas stealing aid supplies to sell to residents
Grim picture of Gazans' lives painted by reports emerging from Strip,
claiming gunmen hiding in civilian homes, using residents as human shields,
and hijacking trucks of humanitarian aid
Roee Nahmias YNET Published: 01.06.09, 22:32 / Israel News
www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3651783,00.html

A government or a gang? As the Israeli operation in Gaza wears on it appears
Hamas has relinquished any visage of a socio-political party, abandoning its
claim to govern the residents of Gaza in favor of engaging in open war at
their expense.

A number of reports from the Strip paint a picture of very difficult
humanitarian conditions, not least because of Hamas itself. The suspicion is
that the group's operatives have seized control of any supplies passing
through the crossings - including those sent by Israel and international
organizations.

Reports say Hamas takes a cut out of all aid that arrives, including flour
and medicine. Supplies intended to be distributed without gain among the
population is seized by the group and sold to the residents, at a profit to
the Hamas government.

One such incident was recorded Monday, when a convoy of trucks carrying
supplies through the Kerem Shalom crossing was opened fire upon and seized
by Hamas gunmen. Similar incidents occurred with trucks carrying fuel.

In other cases, civilians are simply used as cannon fodder or human shields.
Reports out of Gaza say residents who attempted to flee their homes in the
northern area of the Strip were forced to go back at gunpoint, by Hamas men.

The organization is presumably interested in increasing civilian casualties
in order to give rise to international pressure against Israel. Arab media
reported that in an IDF strike on a UN school 30 civilians were killed, but
there is no legitimate way to prove gunmen were among those killed as Hamas
tends to bury these bodies quickly, thus eliminating evidence in Israel's
favor.

Other civilian complaints state that Hamas gunmen pull children along with
them "by the ears" from place to place, fearing that if they don't have a
child with them they will be fair game to the IDF. Others hide in civilian
homes and stairwells, UNRWA ambulances, and mosques.

In other reported cases Hamas gunmen hold civilians hostage in alleyways in
order to provide themselves with a living barricade to ward off IDF forces.
Reports somewhat more difficult to verify say the group's men shot Fatah
operatives in the feet to make sure the latter would not attempt a coup.

No one to turn to
These reports lead to the assumption that Hamas is attempting to exacerbate
the atmosphere of a humanitarian crisis in the Strip, as this may promote an
international ceasefire initiative. In any case the reports clearly show
that the residents of Gaza have fallen prey to Hamas as well as the IDF.

Reports of alarming shortages are also forthcoming, as residents appear to
lack water, flour, electricity, and any sign of a capable government. Chaos
reigns as no one appears to know when electricity will be available, how to
obtain water or food, or whom to address in order to evacuate the injured.

The "emergency numbers" given to residents have ceased to function, and
citizens in need of assistance have only international organizations, the
Red Crescent, and the hospitals themselves to turn to.

The Hamas leaders, aside from two addresses, have not been heard from. Their
speeches were broadcast a number of times, but in any case many in the Strip
can no longer access televisions, radios, or internet without electricity.

Despite this, no authoritative anti-Hamas sentiments have been heard from
the Gazans. However Palestinian sources claim that grievances against the
group are voiced in secret. The animosity towards Israel has not
disappeared, say the sources, but it is now accompanied by bitterness
towards the organization many are dubbing Iranian in its extremism.