Israeli Army: Aid Trucks Strengthen Hamas Economically and the Administrative Committee Does Not Threaten Its Rule

SadaNews - The Israeli army warned this morning that Hamas is experiencing an increasing economic enhancement due to the large inflow of humanitarian aid trucks into the Gaza Strip, in addition to smuggling operations across the crossings and borders, according to the Israeli army radio.

According to the data, about 600 trucks enter Gaza daily, which is approximately 4,200 trucks weekly, a volume that exceeds four times the quantity considered necessary by the United Nations for the sector. The international organization estimates the humanitarian need at about 80,000 tons of food monthly, equivalent to only 134 trucks daily. However, in reality, since the ceasefire agreement and Trump’s 20-point plan, much larger quantities have entered in recent months.

According to the Hebrew report: "Since the beginning of the war, 112,000 aid trucks have reached Gaza, half of them in the last three months since the agreement in October 2025. These quantities, according to the army, are equivalent to what entered over two full years, reflecting the enormous supply volume that creates a fertile environment for Hamas's economic power enhancement through taxes and smuggling."

The Israeli army noted that smuggling operations are not limited to aid trucks but also include cigarettes, tobacco, electrical devices, phones, and dual-use materials for agriculture, which enter through the crossings and the borders of the strip. As the opening of the Rafah crossing approaches next Sunday, senior army officials recommended insisting that the crossing be used solely for the movement of people, warning that bringing goods from Egypt into Gaza as before October 7 would be a "disaster." The army confirmed that the bulk of Hamas's military enhancement before the war came through the entry of thousands of trucks from the Rafah crossing, despite prior security warnings.

Regarding the administrative committee established to manage the sector, the Israeli army sees that Hamas is not disturbed by it and may actually agree to transfer civil administration to it while maintaining actual security control, similar to the "Hezbollah model" in Lebanon, where the armed organization effectively controls the ground without formal civil responsibility. It clarified that tens of thousands of government employees who will work under the committee are from Hamas's elements who have served the movement over the past two decades.

The army also expressed its desire to replace the group of senior employees, such as mayors and hospital directors, but acknowledged that this step would not be easy under the current reality, noting that the continued presence of these employees enhances Hamas's ability to maintain its influence within the sector.