An internal US government analysis found no evidence of systematic theft by Hamas of US-funded humanitarian supplies, challenging the main rationale that Israel and the US give for backing a new armed private aid operation.

The analysis, which has not been previously reported, was conducted by a bureau within the US Agency for International Development and completed in late June.

It examined 156 incidents of theft or loss of US-funded supplies reported by US aid partner organizations between October 2023 and this May.

It found no reports alleging Hamas benefited from US-funded supplies, according to a slide presentation of the findings seen by Reuters.

A State Department spokesperson disputed the findings, saying there is video evidence of Hamas looting aid, but provided no such videos.

Read the full Reuters story here.