Hamas has placed bounties on the heads of American and Palestinian aid workers, offering cash rewards for the torture and murder of those helping Gaza’s starving population.
Key Takeaways
- Hamas has reportedly offered monetary bounties for the injury or killing of Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF) workers, including American security personnel and local Palestinian staff.
- GHF has distributed nearly 50 million meals in Gaza and recently received a $30 million funding boost from the U.S. State Department, making it a critical lifeline for civilians.
- A recent Hamas attack on GHF workers resulted in 12 deaths with reports of torture, highlighting the escalating danger to humanitarian workers.
- Hamas has positioned armed operatives near humanitarian zones specifically to disrupt aid delivery, according to GHF reports.
- U.S. Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee criticized the United Nations for remaining silent on Hamas’s targeting of aid workers while praising GHF’s efforts to deliver food directly to civilians.
Hamas Targets Life-Saving Aid Workers
The Gaza Humanitarian Foundation has become the latest target in Hamas’s ongoing campaign to control aid distribution in Gaza. According to credible reports, the terrorist organization has placed cash bounties on the heads of both American security personnel and Palestinian aid workers affiliated with GHF. This alarming development threatens the foundation’s ability to deliver critical food assistance to hundreds of thousands of Gazans suffering from extreme hunger and deprivation after months of conflict. GHF has confirmed these threats come amid a broader pattern of Hamas disruption tactics designed to maintain control over humanitarian aid entering the territory.
“We are aware of credible reports that Hamas is openly targeting the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation and those who work with us. According to these reports, Hamas has placed bounties on both our American security personnel and Palestinian aid workers, offering cash rewards to anyone who injures or kills them,” stated GHF.
The hostility from Hamas comes as GHF has emerged as a significant player in Gaza’s humanitarian landscape, having distributed nearly 50 million meals since its inception. The organization’s effectiveness recently earned it a substantial $30 million funding boost from the U.S. State Department. What particularly infuriates Hamas is that GHF delivers aid directly to civilians, bypassing Hamas’s historical control mechanisms that allowed the terror group to tax, skim, or entirely confiscate incoming humanitarian supplies before they could reach the general population.
Violence Against Aid Workers Escalates
The situation has already turned deadly. GHF reported that Hamas recently attacked its workers, resulting in 12 deaths. Reports indicate these victims were subjected to torture before being killed. Additionally, the foundation claims Hamas has strategically positioned armed operatives near humanitarian zones with the specific intent of disrupting aid delivery operations. These deliberate acts of sabotage demonstrate Hamas’s determination to maintain control over Gaza’s aid channels, even at the cost of increasing civilian suffering during an already devastating humanitarian crisis.
Hamas’s actions have forced GHF to temporarily pause operations to address security concerns. The organization recently suspended distribution for a day to reassess its protocols and improve efficiency while ensuring worker safety. Despite these challenges, GHF has remained committed to its mission, understanding that pulling out completely would condemn countless Gazans to even more severe hunger and deprivation. The foundation is currently in discussions with Israeli military officials to enhance security measures and create safer pathways for civilians to access distribution hubs.
U.S. Support and International Silence
U.S. Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee has been outspoken about the situation, criticizing the United Nations for its silence on Hamas’s targeting of humanitarian workers. He emphasized that President Trump specifically directed aid efforts to ensure food reached civilians directly without Hamas interference. This approach represents a significant departure from previous aid mechanisms that often allowed Hamas to siphon resources intended for civilians, effectively weaponizing humanitarian assistance to maintain control over the population.
“Last month [President Trump] told us to get food to civilians in Gaza, but DON’T let Hamas steal it. NOT always pretty, but 800k+ unique recipients of food & 1ST TIME they have received food FREE since the start of the war. Hamas has stolen or taxed it & now with/ GHF they CAN’T! Hamas’ main tool to control Gaza is GONE. Hamas has put a bounty on the heads of everyone at GHF — Gazans [and] Americans. The UN remains SILENT.” – U.S. Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee.
While the United Nations and some aid agencies have criticized GHF, claiming it “weaponizes” food access, supporters argue these criticisms miss the point entirely. The foundation’s direct delivery model intentionally circumvents Hamas’s taxation and confiscation schemes that have diverted aid from civilians for years. Reverend Johnnie Moore, another supporter of GHF’s work, issued a clear warning to the terrorist organization: “Hamas would be very unwise to test the resolve of [President Donald Trump].” This statement reflects the administration’s commitment to protecting humanitarian efforts in the region.
The Broader Humanitarian Crisis
The targeting of GHF comes amid a catastrophic humanitarian situation in Gaza. The ongoing conflict, sparked by Hamas’s October 7, 2023, attack on Israel, has resulted in massive civilian casualties and infrastructure destruction. Reports indicate over 50 Palestinians have been killed near GHF distribution sites, though responsibility for these deaths remains disputed. The Israeli military has denied accusations of deliberately shooting civilians and instead places blame on Hamas for attacks on aid seekers and for creating chaotic conditions around distribution points.
GHF continues to urge the international community to speak out against Hamas’s threats and to support their efforts to feed Gaza’s population. Despite operational challenges, including the recent closure of its Switzerland-based office due to regulatory issues, the foundation remains committed to its humanitarian mission. “Our top priority remains ensuring the safety and dignity of civilians receiving aid,” a GHF spokesperson stated, even as the organization navigates increasingly dangerous conditions created by Hamas’s deliberate targeting of humanitarian workers trying to save innocent lives.
