In northern Gaza’s Jabalia refugee camp, civilians face escalating danger not only from Israeli air strikes but also from armed actions by Hamas, according to local sources. Reports indicate that in recent days, Hamas militants have intensified their control over aid distribution points and shelters, employing intimidation and violence against residents.

One documented incident last Monday involved gunmen storming a shelter for the elderly near the Abu Rashid food distribution point. Witnesses said the group fired shots into the air to create panic before demanding approximately £6,000 as compensation for ammunition used during the raid. Several individuals were reportedly detained during the episode and only released after the payment was made.

Humanitarian operations in Jabalia have been significantly disrupted. Last week, the United Nations suspended aid activities in the camp following an armed incursion by militants who also entered a World Food Programme warehouse and assaulted two truck drivers. The UN subsequently issued a rare and pointed condemnation of Hamas, accusing the group of a growing pattern of “intimidation, violence and obstruction” targeting humanitarian efforts. Dr. Ramiz Alakbarov, the deputy special coordinator for the Middle East peace process, criticized Hamas’s smuggling practices and interference, noting the increasing risk posed to civilians and aid workers.

Aid workers and Palestinians interviewed anonymously described how Hamas has allegedly refined methods for hijacking aid shipments, incorporating smuggling operations that include cigarettes, mobile phones, tobacco, and other goods concealed within deliveries. Such illicit trade reportedly generates substantial revenue for those involved. Additionally, failure to comply with internal profit-sharing arrangements appears to provoke armed raids and intimidation tactics targeting some merchants.

The Israeli military continues its stringent blockade of Gaza, asserting that it allows sufficient food imports to prevent widespread starvation, though it has been accused of restricting essential medicines. Israel maintains it prohibits “dual-use” items that could be repurposed for attacks and contends that Hamas has not fulfilled disarmament obligations outlined in former U.S. President Donald Trump’s 20-point plan.

Following the shelter incident, the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) conducted an air strike on a Hamas-run police post in Jabalia, killing at least seven people, including a woman, according to local officials. The IDF stated the strike targeted a senior figure within Hamas’s elite Nukhba force, responsible for leading the October 7 attacks. Since the ceasefire in October, Gaza’s Hamas-run health ministry reports that over 1,100 people have died in Israeli strikes, though the proportion of combatants versus civilians remains unclear. UNICEF has described the ceasefire as a “deadly illusion,” estimating that 265 of those killed were children.

While Hamas has expressed willingness to relinquish administrative control of Gaza in favor of a technocratic Palestinian government appointed under Trump’s peace framework, analysts express concern the group aims to maintain covert military strength and economic influence. Observers warn that Hamas could allow external parties to handle reconstruction efforts while it retains armed capabilities and financial resources, potentially enabling a future resurgence of conflict with Israel.

The Israeli military’s Coordination of Government Activities in the Territories agency highlighted the UN’s statement, underscoring what it described as Hamas’s exploitation of humanitarian channels intended for Gaza’s civilian population. The ongoing tensions underscore the fragile security and humanitarian situation in the Strip’s northern districts.