The United States Central Command (CENTCOM) released drone footage on Sunday showing suspected Hamas operatives looting a humanitarian aid truck in southern Gaza, an incident that threatens the fragile ceasefire between Israel and Hamas. The video, captured by an American MQ-9 Reaper surveillance drone on October 31 near northern Khan Younis, depicts several individuals attacking the truck's driver, forcing him to the road's median, and stealing the cargo before driving off. CENTCOM stated that the looted vehicle was part of a convoy delivering essential supplies from international partners to civilians in the war-torn enclave. The driver's status remains unknown, highlighting the perilous conditions for aid workers amid ongoing tensions. This event, shared via X (formerly Twitter), has drawn sharp condemnation from U.S. officials, who view it as a direct sabotage of post-conflict stabilisation efforts.

The drone was actively monitoring compliance with the U.S.-brokered ceasefire at the time of the incident, underscoring the challenges in enforcing the truce. Established under the U.S.-led Civil-Military Coordination Center (CMCC) in Kiryat Gat, southern Israel, the centre comprises representatives from nearly 40 nations and organisations tasked with coordinating aid inflows, logistics, and security. Alerted via live feed, the CMCC confirmed the attack occurred during a routine humanitarian delivery, with the operatives allegedly targeting the truck to divert supplies for militant use. CENTCOM emphasised that over 600 trucks of aid and commercial goods have entered Gaza daily in recent weeks, a marked increase from the blockade-era restrictions, but isolated acts like this "undermine these efforts" and erode trust among donors.

The ceasefire, initiated on October 10, 2025, stems from President Donald Trump's 20-Point Gaza Peace Plan, which aimed to halt hostilities after more than two years of Israeli military operations that have devastated infrastructure and caused widespread civilian casualties. The agreement facilitated hostage releases and opened humanitarian corridors, yet violations persist on both sides. Israel has accused Hamas of breaching terms through rocket fire and aid diversions, prompting retaliatory airstrikes even after the truce took effect, as reported by Reuters. Hamas, in turn, denies centralised involvement, attributing lapses to severed communications with field units in Israeli-controlled zones. This latest allegation fits into a pattern of mutual recriminations that have stalled full implementation of the peace framework.

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Aid delivery continues to face severe hurdles, with Al Jazeera reporting that Israel is delaying or blocking the majority of agreed-upon convoys at border crossings like Kerem Shalom and Erez, despite hundreds of trucks queued for entry. Humanitarian organisations, including the UN and Red Cross, have warned that such bottlenecks exacerbate famine risks in Gaza, where over 90% of the population relies on external assistance. The looted truck incident amplifies concerns over internal threats to supply chains, potentially fuelling black-market proliferation and weakening the CMCC's oversight mechanisms. As the truce enters its third week, international mediators urge de-escalation to prevent a full relapse into conflict.

The footage's release by CENTCOM serves both evidentiary and diplomatic purposes, aiming to pressure Hamas into accountability while rallying global support for sustained aid flows. In a region where misinformation proliferates, the verified drone video provides concrete proof of the challenges facing reconstruction. With Gaza's humanitarian crisis deepening—marked by acute shortages of food, medicine, and fuel—the incident underscores the need for robust verification protocols and neutral enforcement bodies. As stakeholders reconvene for truce extension talks, addressing aid security will be paramount to averting further instability and paving the way for long-term peace.

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