Israel reroutes UN aid to southern Gaza civilians, aiming to reduce Hamas dependency and lower market prices.
In a bold shift in its humanitarian strategy, Israel has begun rerouting aid to Gazan civilians through new pathways designed to bypass Hamas, transferring over 340 UN aid trucks directly into the southern Gaza Strip. The operation, launched by the Israel Defence Forces (IDF), seeks to reduce Palestinian reliance on Hamas-controlled distribution channels and ease the flow of food and supplies into areas hardest hit by the ongoing conflict.
According to i24NEWS, the aid was channelled through routes recently secured by the IDF, with the humanitarian convoys reaching civilians who gathered at designated relief zones in southern Gaza. The move follows increasing international pressure on Israel to boost humanitarian access in the war-ravaged enclave, where shortages of basic necessities have become severe.
Israeli security officials have already observed early signs that the effort is having an effect. A noticeable drop in flour prices in local Gaza markets suggests that the aid is reaching its intended recipients without being intercepted or taxed by Hamas. Israeli sources believe the new distribution model could gradually weaken the militant group’s economic stranglehold over the territory.
Embed from Getty Images“This is a humanitarian lifeline and a strategic pivot,” said an unnamed IDF source familiar with the operation. “By removing Hamas from the aid equation, we’re ensuring that help gets directly to the people who need it most.”
The plan is not without complications. Palestinian media reported last week that riots had broken out at one of the southern Gaza aid compounds. American security contractors, tasked with protecting the site, reportedly withdrew amid the unrest. It remains unclear whether the riots were sparked by scarcity, mismanagement, or attempts by local actors to reassert control over the aid distribution.
The new delivery routes mark a significant development in the ongoing war between Israel and Hamas, now deep into its latest escalation. In previous months, aid efforts were frequently bogged down by Hamas confiscating or redirecting supplies, often for its own fighters or for sale on the black market. The UN and other aid agencies have faced immense challenges working within such conditions.
With this new bypass operation, Israeli authorities hope to increase pressure on Hamas by stripping it of one of its remaining tools of influence—its control over food and medical aid. If successful, the operation could be scaled up, turning southern Gaza into a central hub for international relief efforts while creating buffer zones free of Hamas interference.
The IDF has not revealed the full details of how these secure corridors were established or what coordination, if any, has occurred with international organisations. However, they have confirmed that the United Nations is involved in managing the aid shipments.
The Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, which monitors aid flow into the region, cautiously welcomed the initiative. “Any effort that ensures aid reaches civilians without political interference is a step in the right direction,” said a spokesperson. “We urge all actors to maintain the neutrality and safety of humanitarian operations.”
As the war grinds on, both sides remain locked in a deadly cycle of violence, with civilians bearing the brunt. Israel’s latest operation may offer a glimmer of relief—but also signals its continued strategy of isolating Hamas, not only through military means, but by undercutting its influence among the population it claims to defend.
Whether the new humanitarian routes can be sustained amid political tension and on-the-ground instability remains to be seen. For now, however, aid is flowing, and for many in Gaza, that is the first lifeline they’ve seen in weeks.
