The United States Central Command (CENTCOM) has released drone footage that it says shows suspected Hamas Looting Humanitarian Aid Truck in southern Gaza. The alleged incident, which took place on October 31 near northern Khan Younis, has reignited concerns about the security of aid deliveries in the region and the ongoing challenges facing international humanitarian efforts amid a fragile ceasefire.
According to CENTCOM, the footage was captured by an American MQ-9 Reaper surveillance drone monitoring compliance with the recently brokered truce between Israel and Hamas. The video, shared online by the command, depicts a group of individuals stopping and commandeering an aid truck that was part of a convoy delivering essential supplies to Gazans. The US-led Civil-Military Coordination Center (CMCC), which was observing the convoy through live drone feeds, said the individuals assaulted the driver and seized control of both the truck and its cargo before leaving the scene.
The driver’s current condition and whereabouts remain unknown. The looted vehicle was reportedly part of a larger convoy carrying food, medicine, and other basic goods provided by international partners. Officials have warned that such actions not only endanger humanitarian workers but also threaten to undermine global relief efforts intended to alleviate the suffering of civilians trapped in Gaza’s deteriorating humanitarian crisis.
The incident occurred at a time when international attention was focused on ensuring the steady flow of aid into Gaza under the terms of the newly established ceasefire. The truce, brokered by the United States and based on President Donald Trump’s 20-Point Gaza Peace Plan, was designed to halt the violence after two years of continuous Israeli bombardment, allow for the exchange of hostages, and open humanitarian corridors. However, both sides have accused each other of violating the agreement, raising doubts about the durability of the peace process and the effectiveness of international monitoring.
Hamas Looting Humanitarian Aid Truck
CENTCOM’s statement, posted to social media platform X (formerly Twitter), claimed that the footage clearly showed suspected Hamas operatives intercepting the truck while it was en route as part of an authorized humanitarian convoy. The MQ-9 drone had been conducting routine surveillance to ensure compliance with the ceasefire when operators noticed suspicious activity near Khan Younis.
According to the command, the drone’s feed revealed several armed individuals stopping the truck, forcibly removing the driver, and transferring him to the side of the road before taking control of the vehicle and driving away with its contents. CENTCOM said the CMCC—composed of representatives from nearly 40 nations and international organizations—was immediately alerted to the situation.
The coordination center, headquartered in Kiryat Gat in southern Israel, was established under US leadership to facilitate and monitor the delivery of humanitarian, logistical, and security assistance into Gaza. The center also plays a role in post-war stabilization planning, including the management of reconstruction efforts and civilian protection measures.
US Drone Observes Aid Truck Looted by Hamas in Gaza
— U.S. Central Command (@CENTCOM) November 1, 2025
TAMPA, Fla. – On Oct. 31, the U.S.-led Civil-Military Coordination Center (CMCC) observed suspected Hamas operatives looting an aid truck traveling as part of a humanitarian convoy delivering needed assistance from… pic.twitter.com/BFa2BPwk2a
In its statement, CENTCOM expressed deep concern over what it described as “the systematic obstruction of humanitarian assistance by armed elements in Gaza.” The command added that over 600 trucks carrying food, medicine, and commercial goods have been entering Gaza daily in recent days, but incidents like this “undermine collective efforts to support the civilian population and stabilize the region.”
The United States has not released the full footage publicly but confirmed that key segments were shared with international partners and humanitarian agencies to help verify the authenticity of the incident and coordinate security responses.
The revelation has intensified ongoing debates about the control and distribution of humanitarian aid in Gaza. Israel and Western governments have long accused Hamas of diverting aid meant for civilians, using supplies to strengthen its military capabilities or reward loyalists. Hamas, for its part, has consistently denied such claims, asserting that it does not interfere with aid operations and that accusations of theft or looting are part of a broader campaign to discredit the group.
CENTCOM officials have emphasized that the footage was not intended as political evidence but as documentation of an observed event with direct implications for humanitarian operations. The command said the CMCC has since adjusted its delivery routes and implemented new security protocols to safeguard future convoys. These include increased aerial monitoring, more frequent coordination with ground partners, and stricter verification procedures for aid drivers and recipients.
A Fragile Ceasefire Under Strain
The alleged looting occurred under the delicate ceasefire that began on October 10, 2025, following months of negotiations between Israel, Hamas, and international mediators. The truce was designed to halt hostilities after two years of relentless conflict that left tens of thousands of Gazans displaced and large parts of the territory’s infrastructure in ruins. It also aimed to pave the way for the release of Israeli hostages and Palestinian detainees, while permitting sustained humanitarian access through designated crossings.
However, the ceasefire has been plagued by violations and mutual recriminations. Israel has accused Hamas of launching sporadic attacks and violating movement restrictions, while Hamas has claimed that Israel continues to carry out airstrikes and raids in Gaza despite the truce. According to Reuters, Israeli airstrikes have targeted several sites in the southern and central parts of the enclave, citing “credible intelligence” of ongoing militant activity.
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Hamas, however, has denied responsibility for any ceasefire breaches, stating that it has “lost communication” with some of its fighters in areas under Israeli control and cannot verify their actions. The tension has placed enormous pressure on the humanitarian infrastructure that the ceasefire was meant to protect. Aid deliveries, though nominally approved under the agreement, remain severely limited.
Al Jazeera reported that Israel continues to block or delay many shipments of food, fuel, and medical supplies, despite hundreds of trucks waiting at approved crossings. International organizations, including the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA), have warned that the logistical obstacles and ongoing insecurity threaten to push Gaza deeper into humanitarian catastrophe.
The United States has positioned itself as a key guarantor of the truce, deploying diplomatic, military, and logistical resources to monitor compliance and facilitate aid delivery. CENTCOM’s role has been central to this effort, with its drones providing real-time surveillance to ensure safe passage for convoys and rapid response to any reported violations. The footage of the alleged looting, therefore, not only raises concerns about Hamas’s behavior but also calls into question the broader viability of the peace plan if such incidents continue.
President Trump’s 20-Point Gaza Peace Plan, introduced earlier in 2025, outlines measures for disarmament, international oversight, and economic reconstruction. It envisions a demilitarized Gaza administered under temporary international supervision while long-term governance solutions are developed. Although the plan was initially met with skepticism by both sides, it succeeded in producing a temporary lull in violence and limited humanitarian access. The looting incident, however, underscores how fragile that progress remains.
The Broader Implications for Humanitarian Access
The alleged looting of the aid truck represents more than an isolated act of criminality—it highlights the persistent insecurity and governance challenges that have hampered aid delivery in Gaza for years. Humanitarian convoys face multiple risks: not only from armed groups and lawlessness within Gaza but also from bureaucratic bottlenecks, restricted border crossings, and shifting security conditions. Each incident of violence or interference undermines international confidence and delays the arrival of critical supplies to civilians who depend on them for survival.
Humanitarian organizations have repeatedly warned that Gaza’s civilian population is caught in a cycle of deprivation exacerbated by political instability. The enclave’s health system remains near collapse, with hospitals struggling to operate amid shortages of fuel, medicine, and personnel. Food insecurity has reached record levels, and access to clean water remains limited. International agencies say that even brief interruptions in aid flows can have devastating consequences for the population’s welfare.
The US-led CMCC was designed to address precisely these challenges by providing a unified mechanism for coordination, monitoring, and rapid problem-solving among international partners. Its creation marked a shift in how aid is managed in conflict zones, emphasizing real-time surveillance, data-sharing, and cross-border coordination. However, the recent incident demonstrates the limits of technological oversight when on-the-ground security remains fragile. While drone surveillance can detect and document violations, it cannot prevent them in real time without robust enforcement mechanisms.
For Washington, the incident poses both a practical and diplomatic dilemma. On one hand, it reinforces arguments that Hamas continues to act outside international norms, justifying tighter controls and continued monitoring. On the other, it complicates US efforts to portray the ceasefire as a success and the Gaza peace plan as a viable framework for long-term stability. The Biden administration’s National Security Council has called for a full review of convoy security procedures and coordination with regional allies to ensure that future aid deliveries are better protected.
At the same time, humanitarian organizations are urging restraint and renewed focus on the needs of civilians. Several groups have cautioned against using the incident to justify further restrictions on aid, warning that punitive measures could worsen conditions on the ground. They emphasize that despite isolated attacks, the vast majority of aid deliveries proceed without incident and that continued cooperation between international actors and local partners is essential to maintaining humanitarian lifelines.
The broader context is one of deep mistrust and competing narratives. For many Gazans, the presence of foreign surveillance drones and the international coordination centers symbolize external control rather than assistance. For donors and partner governments, however, such mechanisms are indispensable to ensuring that aid reaches those most in need and is not diverted for political or military purposes. The challenge lies in balancing oversight with accessibility—ensuring accountability without impeding relief efforts.
In the coming weeks, CENTCOM and its partners are expected to implement enhanced monitoring protocols, including real-time reporting mechanisms and expanded engagement with local community leaders to mitigate risks of future theft or interference. Whether these measures will succeed in stabilizing the flow of humanitarian aid remains to be seen.
The alleged looting of the aid truck in southern Gaza thus stands as a stark reminder of the complex intersection between humanitarian relief, military oversight, and political conflict. As the ceasefire continues to falter and accusations fly from both sides, the fate of Gaza’s civilians—and the credibility of international efforts to help them—hangs in the balance.