Hamas Executes Alleged Looters Amid Gaza Food Crisis; Israeli Drone Strike Kills Hamas Officer

Hamas executed several individuals accused of looting food distribution points and collaborating with Israel amid a worsening humanitarian crisis in Gaza under an Israeli blockade. The executions follow violent thefts and public unrest due to food scarcity. A Hamas police officer was killed by an Israeli drone strike while pursuing suspected criminals, complicating security efforts. The blockade, in place since March 2, has led to severe shortages of food and medical supplies, with 80% of Gaza's population reliant on nearly depleted humanitarian aid.

Executions Amid Chaos: Hamas Responds to Looting Surge

Hamas authorities have confirmed the execution of multiple individuals accused of looting food stores and community kitchens in the Gaza Strip. The executions, described by Hamas officials as “revolutionary execution rulings,” targeted what they called “top criminals” involved in organized theft and public disorder.

Ismail Al-Thawabta, director of the Hamas-run government media office in Gaza, stated that some of the looters operated under clan protection while others were part of organized gangs. He further alleged that some of these groups received direct support from Israel, a claim that Israel has not publicly addressed.

“They aid the occupation in starving us; they must be dealt with as collaborators,” Al-Thawabta told Reuters via a chat application. The Hamas-run interior ministry echoed this sentiment in a statement, vowing to “strike with an iron fist all these renegades” and to take “necessary measures to deter them, no matter the cost.”

Lawlessness and Desperation in a Starving Enclave

The executions follow a series of violent incidents in which heavily armed gangs reportedly looted food supplies and robbed civilians. According to local residents, some of these gangs have not only stolen food but also stopped people on roads to seize money and mobile phones.

“Those gangs, some of them armed, have terrorized people,” said Ahmed, a Gaza City resident who requested anonymity. “They’re not just stealing food—they’re taking everything.”

The Hamas-run SAFA news agency reported that the interior ministry has formed a new 5,000-member force to combat looters and restore order. However, the effectiveness of this force has been undermined by Israeli drone strikes targeting any armed Palestinians, including those in law enforcement roles.

Israeli Drone Strike Kills Police Officer

In one such incident, a Hamas police officer was killed and others wounded when an Israeli drone fired a missile at a police unit pursuing suspected criminals in Gaza City. The Hamas-run interior ministry confirmed the strike, which occurred during an active security operation.

Israel has not commented on the specific incident. However, the Israeli military has previously stated that it targets armed individuals in Gaza to prevent attacks on its forces and civilians. The strike highlights the blurred lines between combatants and law enforcement in a territory where nearly all armed activity is viewed as a potential threat by Israel.

Humanitarian Collapse Under Blockade

The executions and drone strike come against the backdrop of a rapidly deteriorating humanitarian situation in Gaza. The enclave has been under a total Israeli blockade since March 2, following the collapse of an eight-week ceasefire. Israel has barred the entry of food, fuel, and medical supplies, citing concerns that Hamas diverts aid for military use—an accusation Hamas denies.

According to the United Nations, 80% of Gaza’s population relies on humanitarian aid, which is now nearly depleted. Community kitchens have shut down, markets are empty, and the few remaining food items are sold at exorbitant prices. UNICEF has warned that children are the most vulnerable, with many already suffering from malnutrition and related illnesses.

Dr. Ahmad Al-Farra, head of pediatrics and obstetrics at Nasser Hospital, told NBC News that “within one week, we will see a severe starvation.” He added that even blood donations are becoming impossible due to widespread anemia among potential donors.

Curfews and Civilian Restrictions

In an attempt to regain control, Hamas’ armed wing has reportedly imposed nightly curfews starting at 9 p.m. to restrict civilian movement and facilitate the pursuit of criminals. These measures, however, have done little to ease public frustration.

Protests have erupted sporadically across Gaza, with residents expressing anger over the lack of food and the perceived failure of Hamas to ensure equitable distribution of aid. The group’s shrinking armed presence—due to ongoing Israeli military operations—has further limited its ability to maintain order.

International Response and Aid Stalemate

Efforts to resume humanitarian aid deliveries have stalled. According to Axios, the United States, Israel, and a new international foundation are nearing an agreement to deliver aid without Hamas’ involvement. However, no concrete mechanism has been implemented, and aid continues to pile up at Gaza’s borders.

Meanwhile, the Israeli military campaign continues unabated. In the past 24 hours alone, at least 40 Palestinians were killed in Israeli airstrikes, according to Gaza’s health ministry. The total Palestinian death toll since the war began on October 7, 2023, has surpassed 52,500, with many of the victims being women and children.

A Population on the Brink

The situation in Gaza has reached a critical juncture. With food supplies exhausted, law enforcement weakened, and international aid blocked, the population faces a dire future. The executions carried out by Hamas reflect both a desperate attempt to restore order and a grim indicator of the enclave’s descent into chaos.

As the blockade enters its third month, the humanitarian crisis shows no signs of abating. The combination of internal violence, external bombardment, and starvation has created a volatile environment where survival is uncertain and governance is increasingly defined by force.

References

• Hamas executes looters in Gaza as food crisis worsens under Israeli blockade
• Hamas executes looters in Gaza as food crisis worsens under Israeli blockade
• Starvation looms as Israel's total blockade on Gaza enters its third month
• Israel kills 40 in a day as ‘world complicit’ in Gaza children starvation
• Houthi missile strike at Israel airport halts flights ahead of key vote on Gaza war