Two Americans Injured by Direct Hamas Attack at Gaza Humanitarian Foundation Aid Site

Latest Developments

GHF Distribution Site Attacked: Two American aid workers were injured on July 5 when Hamas terrorists threw grenades packed with ball bearings at a Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF) distribution site near the southern Gazan city of Khan Yunis. The GHF posted a picture of fragments from one of the explosive devices, stating that the two assailants had targeted the “highly decorated American veterans” then run into a crowd of civilians following the attack. The IDF, responsible for providing security outside the aid sites, facilitated the safe evacuation of the two injured Americans who were reportedly in stable condition.
GHF Bypasses Hamas to Deliver Aid: Despite being lambasted by multiple NGOs and charities, the GHF continues to deliver meals directly to Gazan civilians from what it calls Safe Distribution Sites in Gaza, stating on July 4 that it had distributed 60 million meals since the beginning of its operations in the Palestinian enclave. Previously, Hamas and armed gangs have looted free humanitarian aid to sell at a profit. “We have a job to do. It’s very simple, to provide free food every day to the people of Gaza,” said GHF head Johnnie Moore. “Attempts to disrupt this life-saving work will only deepen the crisis,” he added.
Hamas Threatens GHF, Gazans Seeking Aid: The GHF said that it “has repeatedly warned of credible threats from Hamas, including explicit plans to target American personnel, Palestinian aid workers, and the civilians who rely on [GHF’s] sites for food.” On June 28, the GHF stated that Hamas had placed bounties on the heads of both Palestinians and Americans working for the organization, and that the terrorist organization had pre-positioned “armed operatives” near aid sites. In early June, Hamas murdered 12 Palestinian GHF aid workers, and continues to warn Gazan civilians against interacting with the organization or receiving aid from the sites.

FDD Expert Response

“Hamas perceives aid distribution efforts conducted independently of its control as a direct challenge to its authority and lucrative embezzlement schemes. Today’s deliberate attack on American aid workers at a GHF distribution site represents a grave escalation and must be widely condemned by the international community. Hamas blended into the crowd, exploiting the presence of civilians, mirroring tactics refined by terrorist groups during the March of Return riots along the Gaza border between 2018 and 2023.” — Joe Truzman, Senior Research Analyst and Editor at FDD’s Long War Journal

“Today’s direct attack on American GHF workers marks another example of Hamas’s violent efforts to reassert control over the distribution of aid in Gaza for its own benefit. The violence against GHF aid workers should be condemned across the international community, which should rally behind the organization’s successful aid delivery efforts and support the group’s efforts to expand aid operations in Gaza.” — Aaron Goren, Research Analyst and Editor