‘Showing the World it Prefers Chaos’: Hamas Places Bounties on Gaza Humanitarian Foundation Personnel

Latest Developments

Terror Bounties: The Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF) stated on June 28 that it was “aware of credible reports” that Hamas had placed bounties on the heads of both Palestinians working for the organization and American personnel providing security for its aid distribution sites. Additionally, the GHF said that Hamas had pre-positioned “armed operatives” near aid sites in recent days to “disrupt” delivery operations. The latest threat to provide cash rewards to those who kill or injure GHF personnel came after Hamas murdered 12 Palestinian GHF workers in early June.
Hamas Claims Its Terrorists Face Same Trials as Ordinary Civilians:: Hamas released a propaganda video on June 28 emphasizing its claim that its operatives face the same conditions as Gazan civilians. The video, which displayed captions reading, “We are hungry just as you are hungry … Our commanders do not hide. They are in the field, just as you are,” suggested that Hamas terrorists were among the crowds of civilians waiting for food distribution. The GHF described its personnel as “heroes who are simply trying to feed the people of Gaza in the middle of a war,” accusing Hamas of ““showing the world it prefers chaos and starvation to peace and aid.”
IDF Continues Operations: As GHF passed its latest milestone of distributing 50 million meals to Gazan civilians since beginning operations in the enclave, the IDF continued targeting Hamas infrastructure throughout the weekend. Israel announced on June 28 that it had eliminated Hakem al-Issa, one of the founders of Hamas and a figure who had “played a significant role in planning and executing the murderous massacre on October 7 [2023].” Additionally, fighting intensified in northern Gaza on June 29 after the IDF issued new evacuation notices for several areas around the city of Jabalia. U.S. President Donald Trump meanwhile urged Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to “MAKE THE DEAL IN GAZA” and “GET THE HOSTAGES BACK!”

FDD Expert Response

“While there is no specific information indicating how Hamas might target American personnel and other staff at a GHF site, the group has a proven record of striking static positions guarded by armed personnel. During the ‘Great March of Return’ riots along the Israeli border starting in 2018, Hamas and other Palestinian terrorist organizations refined tactics involving the use of civilian protests as cover for armed assaults. Terrorists routinely embedded themselves within crowds to launch attacks using explosives and gunfire against IDF troops. A similar approach could plausibly be employed against a GHF site, especially if Hamas seeks to exploit the presence of civilians to mask its operations.” — Joe Truzman, Senior Research Analyst at FDD’s Long War Journal

“GHF is not only succeeding in delivering humanitarian aid to Gazan civilians in need but achieving another one of its primary objectives: separating Hamas from aid deliveries and breaking the terrorist organization’s control over distribution. The cynical threats against Palestinian and American GHF workers alike underline Hamas’s determination to exploit Palestinian civilian suffering to ensure its continued hold on power.” — Aaron Goren, Research Analyst and Editor