The Israel Defense Forces have accused Hamas of beating civilians and looting humanitarian aid in Gaza.
The footage purports to show Hamas militants looting humanitarian aid from a civilian vehicle and beating civilians.
The images were obtained from the Israel Defense Forces on Saturday, 9th December, along with a statement saying (in English): “Hamas members beat civilians and steal the humanitarian aid they received from international organizations—facilitated by Israel.
“Hamas puts its terrorist goals over Gazans’ needs.”
We have not been able to independently verify the claims or the footage.
The Israel-Hamas war is now entering its 65th day, after the deadliest attack on Israel by Hamas on 7th October left 1,200 Israelis dead.
Nearly 18,000 Palestinians have been killed after Israel retaliated with airstrikes on Gaza and a ground invasion.
Hamas has issued a warning saying that Israel would not receive “their prisoners alive without an exchange and negotiation and meeting the demands of the resistance”.
Israel says there are still 137 hostages in Gaza, with activists saying that approximately 7,000 Palestinians are currently in Israeli jails.
The United Nations General Assembly, which is made up of 193 member states, is reportedly likely to vote on Tuesday on a draft resolution that calls for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire.
This is after the United States vetoed the United Nations Security Council resolution calling for a ceasefire on Friday.
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken has urged Israel to do more to protect civilian lives in its ongoing war with Hamas.
He also said: “We’re not going to have durable security for Israel unless and until Palestinian political aspirations are met.”
He added: “When the major military operation is over … we have to make sure that we’re on a path to a durable and sustainable peace. From our perspective, I think from the perspective of many around the world, that has to lead to a Palestinian state.”
Qatar’s Prime Minister, Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman al-Thani, said on Sunday that mediation efforts are ongoing to secure a new Gaza ceasefire and free more hostages held by Hamas.
He said that this was despite ongoing Israel bombardments of Gaza, which he said were “narrowing the window” for a successful outcome.
Israeli tanks have reportedly reached the heart of Gaza’s southern city of Khan Younis.
World Health Organization head Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus has said that “Gaza’s health system is on its knees and collapsing.”
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called on Hamas to lay down its arms and “surrender now” on Sunday.
Referring to the head of Hamas in Gaza, Netanyahu said: “The war is still ongoing but it is the beginning of the end of Hamas. I say to the Hamas terrorists: It’s over. Don’t die for [Yahya] Sinwar. Surrender now.”
Israel reportedly carried out air strikes in a serious capital Damascus late on Sunday.
Hezbollah has reportedly launched explosive drones and powerful missiles at Israeli positions, with Israeli airstrikes hitting several towns and villages in south Lebanon.
