Sunna Files Reveals Details of Looting Gangs in Gaza Operating Under Occupation’s Cover

The Israeli occupation has unleashed gangs and armed groups outside the law in Gaza to intercept aid convoys and goods arriving through checkpoints under its control. This systematic crime aims to deepen the hunger crisis in the besieged Strip and create chaos alongside economic and security turmoil.

An analysis of the routes taken by aid convoys reveals that most of the looting occurs in areas fully controlled by the Israeli military. Forces, including foot soldiers and armored units, are stationed just hundreds of meters away from gang checkpoints, highlighting the occupation’s involvement in these incidents.

Sunna Files Website unveils shocking details about these gangs, their operations, and the areas where they target aid convoys arriving through border crossings.

Who Are the Members of These Gangs?

Ismail Thawabteh, Director-General of the Government Media Office, confirmed that the gang members intercepting aid convoys are individuals with criminal records, many of whom have previous convictions issued by judicial authorities in Gaza.

Speaking exclusively to Sunna Files Website, Thawabteh stated, “Some of these individuals coordinate with the occupation to track the movements and contents of aid trucks, enabling them to loot and steal aid under the watchful eyes of Israeli drones.”

Security sources also revealed to Sunna Files Website that some gang leaders are direct collaborators with the Israeli occupation. They receive instructions to sow security chaos in Gaza and are provided with light weapons and ammunition. One such leader narrowly escaped an assassination attempt by the resistance a few weeks ago.

How Did the Occupation Enable the Spread of Gangs?

The spread of these gangs cannot be separated from the systematic targeting by the Israeli military of police and security personnel who had been securing aid routes from Rafah and other border crossings. This created a significant security vacuum, which has been exploited by looting gangs to operate in areas under full Israeli control.

In this context, 29 international NGOs reported that the Israeli army encourages the looting of humanitarian aid in Gaza by attacking Palestinian police forces attempting to secure the aid.

The report also noted that the Israeli army does not prevent the looting of aid trucks or stop armed gangs from extorting humanitarian organizations. In some instances, when Palestinian police tried to act against the looters, they were attacked by Israeli forces.

When Did the Problem Escalate?

The issue of armed gangs worsened after the Israeli army took control of the Rafah border crossing between Gaza and Egypt in May and Egypt subsequently closed the crossing.

Rafah had been the main entry point for goods into Gaza. With its closure, most aid—already scarce—has been rerouted through Kerem Shalom Crossing and, more recently, through Kisufim Crossing east of Deir al-Balah, which was opened just days ago.

The gangs now control areas on the Gaza side, exploiting the security vacuum and the Israeli occupation’s deliberate overlooking of their activities in border regions.

Where Are the Aid Convoys Intercepted?

Armed gangs operate along the border areas where aid passes, particularly near Kerem Shalom Crossing in southeast Rafah and Kisufim Crossing east of Deir al-Balah in central Gaza.

These gangs exploit open areas that police forces cannot access due to the high security risks imposed by Israeli forces targeting aid escorts.

Sunna Files Website learned from field sources that aid convoys from Kerem Shalom pass near the destroyed Gaza International Airport east of Rafah, then westward to the Al-Mashrou’ area, and finally to Salah al-Din Street.

The looting isn’t confined to border regions. The gangs have expanded their activities to include urban areas, particularly entrances to cities, provinces, and camps along Salah al-Din Street, which connects the southern and northern parts of Gaza.

This expansion is part of a strategy to evade security forces. Sources told Sunna Files Website that thefts have been recorded in Talhiya in Khan Yunis, the entrance to Deir al-Balah, Taba al-Nuweiri northwest of Nuseirat, and the entrance to Al-Maghazi Camp in the central province, among other locations.

How Is the Aid Intercepted?

Looting gangs monitor aid convoys, particularly those coming through Kerem Shalom Crossing. As soon as the trucks exit, the gangs set ambushes just hundreds of meters from Israeli military positions. They place obstacles such as rocks, chase the trucks, and sometimes shoot at drivers or tires to force the vehicles to stop.

Once intercepted, the trucks are taken to specific areas near the eastern Rafah border under full Israeli control, classified as military zones. There, the aid is unloaded and later sold on the black market at exorbitant prices, making it unaffordable for displaced civilians.

In other cases, armed gangs demand ransoms of no less than $5,000 from truck operators to allow them to proceed. This practice primarily targets commercial trucks intended for market sales, leading to inflated prices as the ransom costs are passed on to consumers.

Evidence of the Occupation’s Involvement

Looting and theft occur under the direct observation of Israeli forces, who dictate convoy routes through maps provided to drivers and frequently deny alternative, potentially safer paths. Israeli forces have repeatedly refused to assist truck drivers attacked by gangs.

Moreover, the Israeli military refuses to allow the deployment of Palestinian or international police to secure aid delivery, exacerbating the hunger crisis.

The areas where humanitarian aid is looted are classified as high-risk combat zones, under strict Israeli control, and off-limits to armed Palestinians.

An investigation by Haaretz revealed that the Israeli army enables armed gangs to extort aid trucks. Those refusing to pay face having their aid shipments confiscated and stored indefinitely at Israeli military facilities in Kerem Shalom.

What Is the Gaza Government’s Position?

The Gaza government has condemned the actions of these lawless gangs in southern Gaza, stating that their behavior tarnishes the resilience of the Palestinian people and exacerbates the hardships faced by displaced individuals.

Ismail Thawabteh, Director-General of the Government Media Office, told Sunna Files Website: “The government has made efforts from the very beginning to address this issue, achieving partial success, but the problem persists to this day.“

He added that these gangs operate in areas where police forces cannot function due to the dangerous conditions imposed by the Israeli occupation.

Thawabteh emphasized that the actions of these gangs align with the occupation’s aggressive policies aimed at deliberate starvation.