News

IDF Spox: Hamas Has Fuel Stockpiled In Gaza, Won’t Use It To Support Humanitarian Needs

   DailyWire.com
Israeli Army Spokesperson for International Media, Lieutenant Colonel Jonathan Conricus poses for a picture in the military base of Har Dov on Mount Hermon, a strategic and fortified outpost at the crossroads between Israel, Lebanon and Syria on October 30, 2019. The frontlines have been unchanged for years, but it is the events of recent weeks in Lebanon that, Israel hopes, may weaken their cross-border foe Hezbollah, which it regards as a terrorist organisation. (Photo by JALAA MAREY / AFP) (Photo by JALAA MAREY/AFP via Getty Images)
JALAA MAREY/AFP via Getty Images

Israel Defense Forces (IDF) international spokesman Jonathan Conricus told CNN host Wolf Blitzer that despite concerns raised by humanitarian groups, there is fuel in Gaza — but like everything else in Gaza, it is controlled by Hamas and will not be used to aid struggling civilians.

Conricus explained that even though civilians in Gaza — and even hospitals — were without food and medical supplies, Hamas-controlled fuel stores would not be used to assist in getting humanitarian aid to the places were it was most needed.

WATCH:

“Hamas has fuel, Hamas has quite a lot of fuel,” Conricus said. “They can decide where to use that fuel. And I find it strikingly absent from the discussion, from many discussions, what is Hamas doing with the resources that it has? It’s only about Israel, and Egypt, and UN, and international organizations.”

“What about Hamas? Why aren’t the questions posed to Hamas?” he continued. “Why don’t you use some of the fuel that you have stockpiled and hoarded in advance of this situation and use it for the civilians?”

Blitzer asked for clarification then, saying that he understood Conricus to mean that Hamas had fuel on hand, but would not make it available to the civilian population — and Conricus quickly confirmed that was what he meant.

“They are using these poor civilians, which are not our enemy and are not our target, they’re using them cynically, just in order to milk every drop of international pity and legitimacy for their horrific activities, and they’re using their own civilians to do it,” he added.

CLICK HERE TO GET THE DAILY WIRE APP

“Hamas has fuel and Hamas should use the fuel not to fight against Israel, but really to care about the civilians that they are responsible,” he concluded.

The IDF made a similar point on X, responding to a plea from the United Nations for more fuel for Gaza by suggesting that they should borrow whatever they needed from Hamas.

The UN’s Palestinian refugee agency shared a dire warning on Tuesday, saying that all relief operations in Gaza would come to a halt by Wednesday night if they were unable to get fuel.

“These fuel tanks are inside Gaza. They contain more than 500,000 liters of fuel. Ask Hamas if you can have some,” the IDF replied, sharing an aerial photo of the tanks.

Create a free account to join the conversation!

Already have an account?

Log in

Got a tip worth investigating?

Your information could be the missing piece to an important story. Submit your tip today and make a difference.

Submit Tip
Download Daily Wire Plus

Don't miss anything

Download our App

Stay up-to-date on the latest
news, podcasts, and more.

Download on the app storeGet it on Google Play
The Daily Wire   >  Read   >  IDF Spox: Hamas Has Fuel Stockpiled In Gaza, Won’t Use It To Support Humanitarian Needs