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CNN
an hour ago
- Politics
- CNN
US government review found no evidence of widespread Hamas theft of Gaza aid
The Middle East Federal agenciesFacebookTweetLink Follow An internal US government review found no evidence of widespread theft by Hamas of US-funded humanitarian aid in Gaza, contradicting the State Department's claims that were used to justify backing a controversial private organization that took over aid distribution in the enclave. The analysis, conducted by the US Agency for International Development (USAID), looked into 156 incidents of waste, fraud, and abuse reported by partner organizations between October 2023 and May 2025. The review of the incidents, which was first reported by Reuters, 'found no affiliations' with sanctioned groups or foreign terrorist organizations, according to a presentation seen by CNN. 'There was no indication that there was a systemic loss due to Hamas interference or theft or diversion,' a source familiar with the report told CNN. The Trump administration has repeatedly claimed there is widespread theft of humanitarian aid by Hamas. They have said that only the Gaza Humanitarian Fund (GHF), a private US and Israel-backed organization, is able to distribute assistance to the besieged enclave without such theft occurring. 'We want to see as much aid getting into Gaza as possible in a way that is not being looted by Hamas, and this mechanism, the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, has been a way to do that,' State Department deputy spokesperson Tommy Pigott said Thursday. 'We're calling for additional support of that foundation to deliver that aid.' The USAID findings were presented to officials working in the State Department's Middle East bureau, as well as people working on humanitarian aid and the USAID Office of the Inspector General. USAID ceased operations on July 1 and some of its work was transferred to the State Department. However, the USAID watchdog remains operational. It is unclear if the findings have been relayed to State Department leadership. More than 1,000 people have been killed by Israeli forces while seeking aid, according to the Palestinian Health Ministry and the United Nations, with 60% killed while trying to reach GHF sites. Thousands are suffering from malnutrition and more than a dozen people have starved to death this week amid ongoing Israeli restrictions on aid. A State Department spokesperson claimed there is 'endless video evidence of Hamas looting' and 'intelligence' showing that 'a significant portion of non-GHF aid trucks have been diverted, looted, stolen, or 'self-distributed.'' The spokesperson did not provide examples of the video evidence. They also accused aid workers of lying about looting 'in a poor attempt at an aid corruption coverup.' 'As the situation on the ground develops, we will continue to assess the most effective way to deliver aid to the people of Gaza,' the spokesperson said. The USAID analysis, which was completed in late June, noted that 'the majority of incidents could not be definitively attributed to a specific actor.' 'Partners often largely discovered that commodities had been stolen in transit without identifying the perpetrator,' the presentation said. Given the perpetrator could not be identified, it is possible that Hamas has stolen aid, two sources said. However, they cast doubt on the idea that there would be systemic theft without any evidence. Humanitarian officials in the past have also said they did not experience widespread diversion. One of the sources noted that USAID does not vet the beneficiaries of its aid, so in theory, the families of Hamas government officials in Gaza could have received aid, 'but that's not an armed faction of Hamas. That's the population of Gaza.' The USAID analysis found that the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) 'was either directly or indirectly responsible for the loss' of US-provided aid in 28% of incidents of theft or waste between October 2023 and May 2025. The finding was based on the reports from partners organizations. According to a presentation of the analysis, this included the loss of goods due to 'airstrikes, evacuation orders, or IDF direction to use high risk delivery routes against partner requests.' 'Partners often noted that looting occurred en route (to distribution sites) despite extensive coordination with the IDF,' the presentation said. 'When partners desired to take alternate routes due to high risk of theft or looting, they were forced by the IDF to take riskier routes with known threats putting commodities at risk.' CNN has reached out to the IDF for comment.
CNA
2 hours ago
- Politics
- CNA
USAID analysis finds no evidence of widespread Hamas theft of Gaza aid
WASHINGTON: An internal US government analysis released Friday (July 25) found no evidence that the Palestinian militant group Hamas systematically stole US-funded humanitarian aid in Gaza, challenging claims from both Israel and the United States that have been used to justify a controversial new private armed aid effort. The assessment, completed in late June by the US Agency for International Development (USAID), reviewed 156 reports of stolen or lost aid filed by partner organisations operating in Gaza from October 2023 through May. According to a slide presentation seen by Reuters, the Bureau of Humanitarian Assistance (BHA) found 'no reports alleging Hamas' benefited from US-funded aid. The finding comes amid deepening food insecurity in the Gaza Strip and growing criticism of a new militarised aid group, the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), backed by the Trump administration. DISPUTES FROM STATE DEPARTMENT, ISRAEL A State Department spokesperson disputed the USAID findings, saying there was video evidence of Hamas looting aid, though no such footage was provided. The spokesperson also accused traditional aid groups of concealing corruption. White House spokesperson Anna Kelly questioned the legitimacy of the analysis, claiming no State Department official had seen it and suggesting it 'was likely produced by a deep state operative' aiming to undermine President Donald Trump's humanitarian policies. Two sources told Reuters the findings were shared with USAID's inspector general and State Department officials involved in Middle East policy. Israel continues to assert that Hamas steals aid and uses it to control Gaza's population and enrich itself, often by reselling supplies at inflated prices. The Israeli military told Reuters its claims were based on intelligence reports showing Hamas militants embedded in aid trucks, seizing up to 25 per cent of shipments for fighters or resale. Hamas has denied the allegations. A Hamas security official said Israel has killed more than 800 Hamas-affiliated guards responsible for protecting aid convoys in coordination with the United Nations. Reuters could not independently verify the claims from either side. MIXED FINDINGS ON AID THEFT According to the BHA slides, at least 44 of the 156 incidents of lost or stolen aid were 'either directly or indirectly' caused by Israeli military action, including airstrikes or directives for civilians to evacuate areas. Other cases involved Israeli demands that aid groups use unsafe routes, increasing the risk of looting. Of the remaining incidents, 63 were attributed to unknown actors, 35 to armed groups, 25 to unarmed civilians, 11 to corrupt subcontractors, and five to aid workers themselves. Six incidents involved theft under unknown circumstances. A slide noted, 'A review of all 156 incidents found no affiliations with US-designated foreign terrorist organisations,' which includes Hamas. One slide added that 'the majority of incidents could not be definitively attributed to a specific actor,' as thefts often occurred in transit with no identified perpetrators. The USAID analysis acknowledged a limitation: it could not rule out the possibility that some aid reached administrative officials affiliated with Hamas. However, no cases were found where Hamas was confirmed to have stolen or diverted the aid. CRITICISM OF GHF AND TRUMP POLICY SHIFT The report casts new scrutiny on the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, a private aid group launched with US backing that distributes supplies using armed US military veterans and a for-profit logistics firm run by a former CIA officer. The group has come under fire for bypassing traditional humanitarian structures and facing allegations of using militarised distribution methods. The United Nations and several major aid organisations have rejected calls to cooperate with GHF, saying its operations violate humanitarian principles of neutrality and impartiality. The UN also estimates that more than 1,000 people have been killed by Israeli forces near GHF's distribution points. Although aid groups receiving US funds must vet their staff and subcontractors for ties to designated terrorist groups, the Trump administration waived those requirements in approving US$30 million in funding for GHF last month. The USAID study was completed shortly before the Trump administration froze all foreign aid and began dismantling the agency, folding its operations into the State Department. According to a source familiar with the situation, the BHA team lost access to classified systems during this process. That source also said they were not aware of any classified US intelligence reports confirming Hamas aid thefts and that US officials were instead relying on Israeli claims. HUMANITARIAN CRISIS IN GAZA The humanitarian situation in Gaza has deteriorated sharply. The World Food Program reports that nearly a quarter of the enclave's 2.1 million people face famine-like conditions, and the World Health Organization has documented child starvation deaths. The conflict in Gaza erupted after Hamas launched an attack on Israel in October 2023, killing 1,200 people and taking 251 hostages, according to Israeli authorities. Palestinian health officials say nearly 60,000 people have been killed since Israel began its retaliatory military campaign.
Days of Palestine
2 hours ago
- Politics
- Days of Palestine
USAID: No Evidence Hamas Stole Aid, 44 Incidents Linked to Israeli Military Actions
DaysofPal- An internal review conducted by the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) revealed that the U.S. State Department has provided no visual or documented evidence to support its repeated Israeli claims that Hamas has stolen humanitarian aid sent to the Gaza Strip. According to the report, USAID reviewed 156 incidents of lost or disrupted aid between October 2023 and May 2025. The findings indicate that at least 44 of these incidents were directly or indirectly caused by Israeli military operations, including airstrikes, blocked convoys, or field-related chaos. The agency confirmed that it found no concrete evidence of Hamas systematically seizing aid, whether through local reports, intelligence assessments, or field monitoring, undermining the narrative advanced by some U.S. political figures calling for the suspension or restriction of humanitarian assistance to Gaza. Moreover, in a related statement, U.S. envoy to the Middle East David Satterfield said that 'Israel has not yet provided specific evidence, images, or data proving that Hamas is stealing or redirecting aid,' adding that the U.S. remains committed to delivering aid to civilians in Gaza 'safely and transparently despite the challenges.' The Israeli government has repeatedly claimed that aid is being exploited by Hamas. However, these allegations have not been substantiated with credible documentation, according to both U.S. and United Nations officials. These findings come amid growing international pressure on both the United States and Israel to ensure unhindered humanitarian access to Gaza, as the humanitarian crisis deepens and famine spreads across the Gaza Strip, leaving hundreds of thousands of people hungry and starving. Shortlink for this post:
Roya News
3 hours ago
- Health
- Roya News
No proof Hamas stole US-funded aid in Gaza, says USAID study
A recent internal review by the US government has found no evidence that the Palestinian group Hamas systematically diverted US-funded humanitarian aid in Gaza, according to an unreported study by the US Agency for International Development (USAID). The findings contradict previous assertions made by both 'Israel' and the US, which had been used to justify a controversial new armed private aid operation. The USAID study, conducted by one of its bureaus and completed in late June, examined 156 cases of lost or stolen aid reported by USAID partner organizations between October 2023 and May 2025. According to a slide presentation of the findings, the analysis found "no reports alleging Hamas" benefited from US-supplied aid. While the study noted it was often unable to attribute incidents of theft to a specific actor, it highlighted that 44 of the 156 incidents were "either directly or indirectly" due to 'Israeli' military actions, including airstrikes or evacuation orders. A State Department spokesperson disputed the findings, but did not provide corroborating evidence. The USAID report emerges amidst a deepening food crisis in Gaza, and humanitarian agencies continue to warn of an escalating famine due to deliberate starvation. This dire situation has made aid distribution points highly dangerous, particularly those managed by the new armed private aid operation, the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), which is backed by the US and "Israel." According to the Palestinian Health Ministry, more than 1,083 people have been killed and over 7,275 wounded while attempting to access food at aid distribution points since the war began. United Nations reports corroborate high casualty figures around these private aid hubs, with UN human rights office OHCHR noting 875 people killed by July 13 while trying to get food, with 674 of those near GHF sites. T he head of the UN Palestinian refugee agency (UNRWA), Philippe Lazzarini, has publicly called the GHF system a "death trap costing more lives than it saves." The ongoing genocide in Gaza has resulted in more than 59,500 Palestinian fatalities since October 2023, according to the Palestinian Health Ministry. The ministry indicates that over half of those killed are women and children. The war has severely devastated the enclave's infrastructure, gutted its health system, and led to widespread severe food shortages.
Vox
5 hours ago
- Politics
- Vox
It's surprisingly hard to know just how many people will die because of USAID cuts
is a senior writer at Future Perfect, Vox's effective altruism-inspired section on the world's biggest challenges. She explores wide-ranging topics like climate change, artificial intelligence, vaccine development, and factory farms, and also writes the Future Perfect newsletter. How many people are going to die because of the so-called Department of Government Efficiency's abolition of USAID, and the Trump administration's apparently-under-consideration plans to destroy PEPFAR, the landmark George W. Bush-era program to end the global AIDS epidemic? Millions — everyone agrees on that. But how many millions is an extraordinarily difficult question to answer. Two factors make it particularly difficult. First, the Trump administration's plans are constantly shifting. And second, other actors change their behavior in response to US policy. The Gates Foundation, for example, plans to accelerate its spending to help fill the void left by the US; I know of other, smaller funders trying to do the same thing. Aid recipients, too, can change their behavior: While some will die without their medication, others will find a way to pay for the medication at the expense of other necessities. Between the uncertainty of the cuts and the unpredictable responses, it's a real challenge to estimate the cost in human lives. But getting these numbers right is crucial. Since the Trump administration began demolishing USAID earlier this year, experts have made various attempts to quantify the impact. Some of them have been more careful than others. One new analysis in the prominent medical journal the Lancet, for example, estimates that if all USAID work stops, between 8.5 million and 20 million people will die by 2030 — a mind-boggling sum even on the low end. The lower-end estimate is in line with other estimates — and even the higher end, it isn't necessarily impossible, if no other actors step in. This story was first featured in the Future Perfect newsletter. Sign up here to explore the big, complicated problems the world faces and the most efficient ways to solve them. Sent twice a week. But there were limitations to the paper's approach that make it a bad idea to take those numbers at face value. The analysis drew criticism from some development economists, who warned that its approach was insufficiently rigorous, given the stakes of getting this right. Its design meant that the death toll estimate didn't account for the potential impacts of other governments or aid agencies stepping in to help make up for cuts to USAID, among other issues. It also claimed that USAID had saved up to 90 million people over the last few decades, which would, implausibly, credit the agency with the entire fall in global mortality over the last 20 years. All that is an immense shame — it's already hard enough to get Americans to pay attention to desperately needed aid going to some of the poorest people in the world. Overestimates undermine the credibility of the entire effort to fix this crisis — credibility that it can't afford to lose. Counting the dead During the chaotic initial months, as DOGE implemented cuts by unilaterally blocking payments, it was almost impossible to distinguish what was an intended cut and what had been cut off accidentally. At the time, I sent questions about the situation to the State Department, which answered only with copy-pasted statements unrelated to my questions. Often the only way to learn whether a PEPFAR clinic was operating was to ask a volunteer to go there and look — and volunteers in Nigeria did precisely that for me at one point. As I tried to report on which programs were operating, I spoke with people whose programs were canceled and then uncanceled and then sometimes recanceled. We're now out of that initial chaos. But determining what's going on remains a huge challenge. By far the most important single question for how many people die as a consequence of aid cuts is whether PEPFAR is gutted or continues to function. Last week, we got good news on that front: Congress exempted PEPFAR from a recent package of spending cuts that had been pushed by the White House. This week, we got bad news: The State Department, according to documents obtained by the New York Times, is developing a plan to shut down the program anyway. The department has since distanced itself from the plan, stating that the document 'is not reflective of the State Department's policy on PEPFAR.' Related Bill Gates shows what the end of perpetual philanthropy looks like Any death toll estimate has to assume a specific scenario — anywhere from 'everything is canceled' to 'only certain announced cancellations will go forward, and everything else proceeds as before.' And it also has to make difficult methodological assumptions. As a recent analysis by development economists Charles Kenny and Justin Sandefur put it, we need to know both 'gross lives saved' — how many lifesaving medications were given out to patients who then survived? — and 'net lives saved' — how many of those people are alive today who would have been dead but for the program? Gross lives saved are relatively easy to measure. Net lives saved are much trickier — they're often estimated by comparing deaths in countries that benefitted from US aid to those in countries that did not. But since those countries weren't identical to begin with, and the US hardly chooses where it operates at random, deciding what differences between the countries to control for introduces a lot of potential for error. The more variables you control for, the easier it is to accidentally control for something that you would have actually wanted to consider in your results. The Lancet study, for example, controlled for health spending by country. But controlling for that variable makes it impossible to look at cases where US aid spending displaced a country's own national spending on health — meaning that it's impossible to see how much US aid was actually improving the total health situation or just substituting for local money. And that was just one concern with the study, representative of just how hard it is to do this research. Why this really, really matters According to the State Department's own estimate, PEPFAR has saved about 25 million lives since it began operating in 2004. Earlier this year, some friends and I, hoping to better understand that estimate, ran a hackathon to create our own analysis, estimating that the program has saved between 19 million and 30 million lives. Meanwhile, Kenny and Sandefur estimate that all US aid programs as a whole saved between 2.3 million and 5.6 million lives per year, the bulk of that from PEPFAR. What we know for sure is this: More people will die than you or I could ever meet. Even with the most rigorous research standards, the range of uncertainty is very large, and the numbers hinge on hard-to-communicate assumptions. Do you exclude data from the peak of the Covid-19 pandemic, given its confounding effects? Do you treat saving a child and saving an adult as the same? Do you assume drug prices would have fallen and made medication more accessible even without US aid? And do you report your conservative estimate or your high-end estimate? This isn't just an academic exercise. Because for the most part, you get one shot at communicating with the general public. There's a lot happening in the world, and most people simply aren't going to read five news stories about the nuances of foreign aid. Having an authoritative number would be invaluable for conveying the scale of the impending crisis — and it must be a reliable one, because an unrigorous overestimate just hands opponents an excuse to dismiss the entire foreign aid project as one run by politically motivated liars. But the sheer chaos of the dismantlement, the lack of clarity about what the plan really is, and the difficulty in guessing how other governments and nonprofits will react (when they're dealing with the same lack of clarity from the US) makes it hard to give a single answer. And it's really hard to advocate for a program's continuation when it's impossible to keep track of the government's plans for it. I strongly suspect that's intentional: The White House has repeatedly lost when seeking congressional approval to dismantle our best-performing life-saving programs. So the administration has resorted to doing it piecewise and, as much as possible, avoiding a public debate. What we know for sure is this: More people will die than you or I could ever meet. It's enough people that I am pretty sure we'll be able to see a Trump-era spike on global child mortality graphs the way we can see the impacts of major wars. Most of the dead will be children whose lives could be saved at very little cost. And whether we save their lives next year is apparently, somehow, still under discussion.
