Gaza Food Crisis Deepens as Hamas Executes Alleged Looters
On May 25, 2025, the Hamas-run authorities in Gaza executed multiple individuals accused of looting food and humanitarian supplies, marking a dramatic escalation in internal crackdowns amid one of the worst humanitarian crises in the enclave’s history. The executions followed a series of attacks by armed gangs on food distribution points across the region, which has been reeling from an Israeli blockade that has severely restricted aid delivery since early April 2024.
According to sources cited by Reuters and Al Jazeera, armed gangs have increasingly targeted warehouses, community kitchens, and even civilians as desperation mounts. The Hamas-run government media office referred to these killings as “revolutionary execution rulings” against “top criminals” held responsible for orchestrating looting activities in recent weeks. Some of the accused were alleged by Hamas officials to have received covert support from Israeli forces or to have acted under the cover of tribal networks within Gaza.
In a declaration, the Hamas-run Interior Ministry announced on May 25, “We will strike with an iron fist all these renegades,” vowing to end the lawlessness gripping the territory. The statement emphasized the government’s resolve to halt the terrorizing of citizens, theft of personal property, and threats to community security.
Security Chaos and Drone Strikes
One particularly volatile incident occurred when an Israeli drone reportedly fired a missile at a Hamas police unit in Gaza City pursuing suspected looters. The strike resulted in the death of one police officer and injuries to several others, according to the Hamas Interior Ministry. The Israeli military has not issued any public statement regarding the allegation or the drone strike.
In response to the expanding crisis, the Hamas-affiliated SAFA news agency reported that a new 5,000-member force was being deployed to restore order and pursue criminal gangs. However, enforcement remains complicated due to the continuous risk of Israeli drone strikes targeting armed individuals—including members of internal security forces.
Civilians Caught Between Gangs and War
Residents of Gaza City have described a terrifying descent into lawlessness. Speaking to Palestinian media outlets, civilians reported being robbed at gunpoint on open streets, with some forced to surrender not only their food but also their phones and money. A local resident shared, “They aid the occupation in starving us; they must be dealt with as collaborators.”
To help curb these incidents, Hamas’ armed wing imposed 9 pm curfews in several districts, limiting movement in the hopes of catching looters and restoring public safety. Still, the ongoing military pressure from Israeli operations and the persistent absence of food supplies create a precarious situation for both enforcement agencies and residents.
Root Causes: Hunger and the Israeli Blockade
The worsening humanitarian crisis in Gaza is widely attributed to the comprehensive blockade imposed by Israel after the October 7, 2023, Hamas-led attack on southern Israel. That assault resulted in 1,200 Israeli deaths and the abduction of 251 hostages, according to Israeli government figures. In retaliation, Israel launched a sustained military campaign against Hamas, leading to widespread devastation in the Gaza Strip.
As of May 25, 2025, more than 35,500 Palestinians have been killed in Israeli attacks, according to the Gaza Health Ministry. Most of the population has been displaced, with large groups sheltering in overcrowded conditions along the coast and central areas. United Nations officials have issued repeated warnings about the risk of famine and have urged for unimpeded humanitarian access. Israel, however, contends that Hamas routinely diverts aid supplies for its fighters—an accusation Hamas denies.
Diminishing Governance and Internal Challenges
Although Hamas attempted to reassert its authority following a temporary ceasefire in January 2025, its internal control has significantly eroded since Israel resumed military operations in March. The power vacuum and persistent scarcity have led to sporadic protests across the enclave, as civilians voice frustration over food shortages, lack of governance, and mounting insecurity.
The recent wave of executions underscores Hamas’ urgency in reestablishing authority while managing public perception. Still, many international observers have criticized extrajudicial executions and called for judicial transparency, even in times of war. Human Rights Watch and other organizations have warned that summary executions violate international law, regardless of the internal situation.
Hunger as a Weapon of War
The food crisis is not just an internal issue—it represents a wider strategy, according to international agencies and aid groups. Famine conditions are worsening, with children reportedly dying from malnutrition-related diseases. On May 20, 2025, the World Food Programme and UNICEF jointly stated that humanitarian convoys had been turned away or attacked, further complicating aid delivery. “The use of starvation as a method of warfare is a grave violation of international humanitarian law,” the statement read.
The Famine Review Committee of the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) warned in April 2025 that famine could occur “anytime between now and July 2025” if conditions remain unchanged. Aid agencies have emphasized that the looting incidents reflect not merely criminal opportunism but a deeper unraveling of civil structures due to food scarcity, population displacement, and aerial bombardment.
Global Reactions and Silence
Despite mounting casualties and deteriorating living conditions, global political reaction remains divided. The United States and several European nations have called for increased humanitarian corridors but have refrained from openly condemning the executions or demanding accountability from the warring parties. Regional actors, including Egypt and Qatar, have attempted to mediate new ceasefires, though talks have stalled amid growing mistrust.
Israel has not commented on Hamas’ accusations that some looters were cooperating with Israeli intelligence or operations. Meanwhile, the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) maintain that any action taken is strictly to neutralize threats posed by Hamas fighters.
Aid Access Still Elusive
As of late May 2025, most border crossings into Gaza remain either closed or under tight military surveillance, making large-scale aid efforts virtually impossible. While limited aid convoys have entered through Egypt’s Rafah crossing, these are far from adequate to meet the needs of the enclave’s over two million residents. UN agencies have reiterated calls for a comprehensive ceasefire to facilitate food, medical, and shelter assistance to civilians.
The Israeli government insists that security checks are necessary to prevent weapon smuggling and claims that it has opened limited humanitarian routes. However, UN officials argue that these efforts fall drastically short of what is needed and cite bureaucratic delays, permit denials, and occasional violence against aid workers as serious barriers.
Uncertain Future for Gaza
With more than 70% of Gaza’s housing infrastructure reportedly damaged or destroyed and food systems collapsed, the territory is inching closer to systemic collapse. The recent executions signal an alarming breakdown in both civil order and humanitarian norms. In the absence of a sustainable political solution, civilians remain the principal victims—caught between military operations, internal crackdowns, and starvation.
As the global community watches and debates, the crisis in Gaza continues to escalate. What began as a geopolitical conflict has now transformed into a catastrophic humanitarian emergency, with lawlessness, hunger, and despair becoming the dominant forces shaping daily life.
