Two American military veterans sustained injuries during a grenade attack on July 5, 2025, while working with a private group distributing humanitarian aid in central Gaza. The veterans, described as highly decorated, are reportedly receiving medical care and are in stable condition. They were affiliated with the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), an organization backed by the U.S. and Israel that operates outside the traditional United Nations aid system.
The incident highlights the perilous environment faced by aid workers in the region amidst the ongoing conflict. While the veterans survived the attack, it underscores the complex security challenges surrounding humanitarian efforts in Gaza.
Ambush During Aid distribution
The attack occurred at a food distribution site near the Nuseirat refugee camp in central Gaza, shortly after an aid delivery had concluded. According to GHF statements, two individuals described as assailants threw grenades at the American security personnel working at the site before reportedly fleeing into a nearby crowd of civilians.
Fragments recovered from the grenades were found to contain ball bearings. GHF Executive Chairman Rev. Johnnie Moore stated that these fragments suggest the weapons were of Iranian origin and are commonly used by Hamas. The GHF claims the attack tragically confirmed their prior warnings about credible threats from Hamas targeting American personnel, aid workers, and civilians.
Conflicting Narratives and Criticisms
The GHF is a privately run foundation, established in February 2025, which began distributing aid in Gaza in May. Unlike established humanitarian organizations, the GHF has bypassed the longstanding UN-led aid system in the territory. The organization employs private U.S. military contractors to provide security at its distribution sites.
This approach has drawn criticism from the UN. UN aid organizations do not collaborate with the GHF, stating it is neither impartial nor neutral. Critically, the UN human rights spokeswoman, Ravina Shamdasani, reported that UN data indicates a disturbingly high number of casualties at or around aid distribution centers and convoys in Gaza since late May. Of at least 613 such deaths, 509 occurred specifically at or near sites run by the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation.
High Civilian Casualties at GHF Sites
The World Health Organization (WHO) representative in the Palestinian territories, Rik Peeperkorn, corroborated that the majority of fatalities and injuries at aid distribution sites were connected to incidents at GHF centers. Peeperkorn cited information from medical staff and victims’ relatives, noting that many victims were primarily boys attempting to collect aid for their families. These boys were reportedly shot in vital areas, including the head, neck, chest, stomach, and knees.
Palestinian sources have attributed responsibility for these deadly incidents involving humanitarian aid distribution to the Israeli military. The Hamas-run interior ministry in Gaza had previously issued warnings against assisting the GHF, claiming their distribution sites endangered hungry Gazans. Some Palestinians have described the GHF sites as chaotic.
GHF Claims of Threats and Bounties
Despite the criticisms and high civilian casualty reports linked to its sites, the GHF remains committed to its mission. The organization claims to have delivered over 60 million meals since May. They contrast their operations with other humanitarian groups, alleging that nearly all other aid is looted.
The GHF has repeatedly stated it faced threats and violence. The attack on the veterans came just one week after the GHF reported that Hamas had allegedly placed bounties on the heads of its workers, both American security personnel and Palestinian aid workers, offering cash rewards for injuring or killing them. The organization claims Hamas is responsible for the murder of 12 of its Palestinian staff members.
GHF Executive Chairman Rev. Johnnie Moore also suggested that the attack was partly a byproduct of the “legitimacy” provided to Hamas by elements of the press and the UN. He claimed they amplify Hamas’s “lies” about GHF and actively collaborate with the group.
Official Reactions and Broader Context
Following the attack, U.S. Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee condemned the incident, stating, “With Hamas no good deed goes unpunished.” IDF International Spokesperson Lt. Col. Nadav Shoshani also issued a statement asserting that “The Hamas terrorist organization and other terrorist groups in Gaza continue efforts to sabotage and fail the distribution of humanitarian aid.” He confirmed that IDF troops facilitated a safe evacuation for the injured veterans.
The GHF strongly criticized the international community for what it described as a “deafening silence” regarding threats and violence against its aid workers. The organization questioned at what point allowing Hamas to “terrorize aid workers and run a propaganda campaign through Western media” becomes unacceptable. This incident occurs amidst ongoing discussions about establishing alternative governance structures in Gaza without Hamas, potentially involving private or non-traditional groups, although such proposals face significant challenges and skepticism from various actors. The GHF itself is sometimes noted as having backing from the Trump administration, placing it within a specific political context regarding aid delivery in Gaza.
The attack on American veterans highlights the severe risks inherent in aid delivery in a conflict zone, but it also draws attention to the specific model of the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation and the alarming reports from the UN and WHO regarding the high number of civilian deaths occurring at its distribution points. Navigating the complex landscape of aid, security, and conflicting political agendas remains a critical challenge in Gaza.
Frequently Asked Questions
What happened to the American veterans in Gaza?
Two American military veterans working as security personnel for the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF) were injured in a grenade attack on July 5, 2025. The incident occurred at an aid distribution site in central Gaza. The veterans were reportedly in stable condition receiving medical treatment following the attack.
What is the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF) and why is it controversial?
The GHF is a private, U.S.- and Israeli-backed organization distributing aid in Gaza outside the traditional UN system, using private security contractors. It is controversial because UN organizations criticize it as not being impartial or neutral and operating insufficient distribution centers that create danger. UN data, corroborated by the WHO, indicates a significantly high number of civilian deaths have occurred specifically at or near GHF aid distribution sites since May 2025.
What is the broader context of violence surrounding aid delivery in Gaza?
Aid delivery in Gaza is fraught with danger, with multiple groups making conflicting claims about responsibility for violence. While organizations like GHF claim Hamas targets aid efforts and workers, UN and WHO reports highlight hundreds of civilian deaths at aid sites, particularly GHF’s, since late May, with many victims being boys. Palestinian sources often attribute these deaths to the Israeli military. This complex situation underscores the extreme risks faced by both aid workers and civilians seeking assistance.
