Egyptian trucks carrying humanitarian aid make their way to the Gaza Strip, amid the ongoing conflict in Gaza between Israel and Hamas, at the Kerem Shalom crossing in southern Israel, May 30, 2024. Photo: REUTERS/Amir Cohen

While the International Criminal Court falsely accused Israel of causing “starvation as a method of war and the denial of humanitarian relief,” official Palestinian Authority (PA) TV reported who the real criminals were.

Even before the current ceasefire deal, Israel had been generously letting humanitarian aid into the Hamas-ruled Gaza Strip.

Reporting from Gaza, official PA TV explained that “robbers ambush the aid trucks” and demand “transit fees,” so that by the time the aid reaches the merchants, the prices have increased more than 10 times:

Official PA TV reporter in Deir Al-Balah, Gaza: “From the moment the traders’ trucks or the humanitarian aid trucks set out from the gate of the Kerem Shalom Crossing until they arrive at Saladin Road, they encounter several ambushes by [Palestinian] robbers.

Some pay transit fees, large sums to pass from Saladin Road to the central [Gaza Strip] … When the trucks, aid, food stamps, and food packages reach the small merchants, the citizen must cover everything that was paid from when the truck sets out until it reaches the citizen. For example, one bag of milk that was sold for 5 shekels is now sold for 55 — you know where the 45 or 50 shekels went.” [emphasis added]

[Official PA TV, Jan. 7, 2025]

Similarly, meat prices are “exorbitant,” leaving citizens unable to afford it, and instead of feeding the hungry, the food was left to spoil:

Official PA TV reporter in Deir Al-Balah, Gaza: “Certain amounts of meat have begun to enter the [Gazan] markets at exorbitant prices, which thousands may be unable to purchase, and it is likely that some of the food and meat will spoil.”

[Official PA TV, Jan. 5, 2025]

Even PA Prime Minister Muhammad Mustafa has mentioned the “unfair distribution” of the humanitarian aid in Gaza:

PA Prime Minister Muhammad Mustafa: “We are monitoring the reports regarding the involvement of several parties in the Gaza Strip in exploiting the [humanitarian] provisions and aid, and their unfair distribution.”

[Official PA TV, Jan. 10, 2025]

Throughout the war, the Hamas terror organization has neglected Gazan civilians and looked out for its own interests only.

Palestinian Media Watch has exposed that Hamas has been using civilians as human shields, stole 28% of Gazans’ salaries, and stole the aid in order to give it to its terrorists.

The author is a senior analyst at Palestinian Media Watch, where a version of this article was originally published.