Two American aid workers were injured on Saturday following a grenade attack perpetrated by Hamas on a Gaza aid distribution site.
The U.S.- and Israeli-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, which distributes aid to Palestinians in Gaza amid the Israel-Hamas war, said two of its workers, both American veterans, were injured after two “assailants” threw Iranian-made grenades at them while stationed at the GHF’s aid site in Khan Younis. The two aid workers were in stable condition as of this morning and were treated with non-life-threatening injuries.
“GHF has repeatedly warned of credible threats from Hamas, including explicit plans to target American personnel, Palestinian aid workers, and the civilians who rely on our sites for food. Today’s attack tragically affirms those warnings,” the organization said in a statement.
The attack was condemned by both U.S. and Israeli officials on Saturday afternoon.
U.S. State Department spokeswoman Tammy Bruce said the targeting of the aid workers “lays bare the depravity of Hamas.”
“This morning, Hamas terrorists attacked a GHF distribution site, injuring two Americans. This act of violence against the people actually bringing relief to Gazans lays bare the depravity of Hamas. GHF has contributed over 62 MILLION MEALS — nothing will stop these courageous aid workers. We are praying for the rapid recovery of the injured Americans,” Bruce posted on X.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the attack “reveals the brutality of Hamas” and called on the United Nations to “stop opposing the activity” of the GHF and instead work together to supply aid to Palestinians in Gaza.
“I would like to send my best wishes for a speedy recovery to the employees of the American aid foundation, who were wounded in the terrorist incident that was perpetrated by Hamas terrorists at the food distribution facility. The foundation employees are doing important work and I thank them and President Trump for the aid. The entire world needs to stand up and condemn the severe incident, which again reveals the brutality of Hamas. The UN must stop opposing the activity of the aid foundation and act in concert so that the latter might continue to safely act on behalf of the residents of the Gaza Strip,” Netanyahu posted on X.
The GHF began distributing aid in Gaza in late May, using a different approach than Hamas by supplying aid directly to Palestinians. The traditional aid distribution method in Gaza saw aid flow through Hamas, which has been scrutinized for keeping supplies from civilians or charging them to obtain the goods.
In a July update on its aid efforts, the GHF said it has distributed nearly 58 million meals in a little over five weeks.
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The organization pledged to continue its efforts despite the violent attack over the weekend.
“Despite this violence, GHF remains fully committed to its mission: feeding the people of Gaza safely, directly, and at scale,” GHF posted on X.