Hamas rejects US claim of aid looting in Gaza as 'fabricated'

Hamas has condemned US claims that its members looted an aid truck in Gaza, describing the incident as "staged" to justify Israeli restrictions on humanitarian aid entering the enclave.

In a statement on Sunday, the Palestinian movement said that the "false US allegations" were "baseless and unfounded", asserting that no such looting had taken place.

"Washington's continued adoption of the [Israeli] occupation's narrative deepens its unethical bias and makes it a partner in the siege and the suffering of Gaza's civilians," Hamas said.

The United States Central Command (Centcom) released edited drone footage on Friday purportedly showing people looting an aid truck in northern Khan Younis. 

Centcom claimed that "suspected Hamas operatives" attacked the driver and stole the truck, but provided no further evidence verifying that the individuals involved were Hamas members.

Middle East Eye could not independently verify the time or location of the video.

Aid looting by Israeli-backed gangs has been reported widely since the start of the genocidal war on Gaza in October 2023.

Read more: Hamas rejects US claim of aid looting in Gaza as 'fabricated'