What it is about

A video that surfaced on Friday shows masked Hamas security personnel punishing Gazans who are alleged to have stolen food from the organization’s warehouses. The footage reveals the bound and blindfolded youth being severely beaten with bats while the word “thief” is sprayed onto their backs.

Why it matters

This incident underscores the grave humanitarian crisis in Gaza and depicts how Hamas, despite being responsible for the well-being of Gaza’s residents, prioritizes its self-interest over aiding its population. These brutal measures highlight the oppressive governance in Gaza, leaving civilians desperate and hungry.

What they’re saying

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) Arabic Language spokesperson commented on the matter, stating, “These young Gazans are being punished for simply trying to access humanitarian aid that Hamas had diverted for its own needs. This is Hamas, and this is how they treat civilians in Gaza.” He added that Hamas prioritizes its own interests and Iranian funding over the wellbeing of Gaza’s residents. With decreasing financial support, Hamas increasingly resorts to confiscating resources from the already impoverished population.

The Big Picture

The actions depicted in the video further paint a grim picture of life under Hamas control. Despite receiving significant humanitarian aid, the terror group appears to withhold these resources, leaving the local population starving and desperate. This example showcases Hamas’s failure to serve its people and magnifies the broader issue of corruption and mismanagement in the Strip.

This story was first published on ynetnews.com.