Hamas goes on armed raid to seize aid from UN in Gaza

Hamas and UN forces clash as Hamas stages armed raid and seizes thousands of pounds worth of aid meant for Gazans. Hamas has stolen thousands of pounds worth of UN aid and refused to return it unless the UN apologises.

Hamas police armed with guns have seized huge amounts of aid and supplies belonging to the United Nations in Gaza. The group broke into a warehouse and grabbed thousands of blankets and food parcels. UN spokesman, Chris Gunness, says that Hamas took over 3000 blankets and 400 food parcels that were waiting to be distributed between 500 families. "They were armed, they seized this, they took it by force," Gunness said, describing the theft as "absolutely unacceptable." Hamas had previously demanded that UNRWA (United Nations Relief & Works Agency) officials hand the aid over to their Ministry Of Social Affairs. When UNRWA proved reluctant, the Hamas police went directly to the warehouse - armed with guns. Welfare and Social Services Minister Isaac Herzog, who overlooks humanitarian aid in the Gaza Strip, said the incident was "further proof that Hamas is continuing to make life miserable for the population of Gaza and will use any means to intensify its suffering." During Operation Cast Lead, Herzog said in a statement released Wednesday afternoon, "Hamas leaders worried about their own welfare and security while totally neglecting the population." He said that Israel would continue to ensure that any aid transferred to Gaza be "directed for the welfare of the civilian population only." In a statement released today, UNRWA condemned the theft "in the strongest terms," and demanded that it be "returned immediately." The statement added that there is " a strict system of monitoring aid delivery and ensuring that its assistance reaches only the intended beneficiaries.' Ahmad Kurd, the Hamas official in charge of the ministry, did not deny the armed raid. He has accused the UN giving the aid to local groups with ties to Hamas opponents in rival political groups in Gaza. UN officials said they were distributing the aid directly to local residents according to a list compiled by community leaders. The aid was kept in a local storage facility, guarded by a local UN employee, because the organization's usual warehouses were full. Tensions between Hamas and UNRWA could make it difficult for the international agency to continue their work in Gaza. "We hope there are no implications for our aid work in Gaza," Gunness said. Hamas said the UN 'was welcome' to continue its work - but has demanded an 'immediate apology' from the UN for its statements about the raid on the warehouse. Some international donors have expressed concern that funds meant to rebuild Gaza could fall into Hamas hands, and the UN had been trying to assuage those fears. A donors conference is set for later this month, in Cairo. Israeli officials have expressed concern in the past that Hamas routinely confiscates aid meant for Gazans. "We have said in the past that we know Hamas is stealing humanitarian aid and donations from international organizations," said IDF spokesman Peter Lerner. Gunness has demanded the immediate return of UNRWA supplies:"Does anyone really think that the Americans, who are our single largest donor, would give us aid in the generous way they do if they thought that aid would go to terrorists?"