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American contractors guarding aid distribution sites in Gaza have used live ammunition, stun grenades, and pepper spray against Palestinians seeking food, according to two whistleblowers and videos obtained by The Associated Press.
The Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), a U.S.-backed organization, has drawn criticism for its security practices amid a deepening humanitarian crisis.
The U.S. government’s $30 million pledge to GHF has fueled demands for accountability, exposing oversight failures in the Gaza aid violence crisis.
Multiple U.S. contractors confess to firing live ammo at Palestinians seeking food in Gaza, per an AP investigation.
One American was heard yelling, “Hell yeah boy, I think you hit one!” after targeting starving civilians. pic.twitter.com/Aa62hNe4ZT
— National File (@NationalFile) July 3, 2025
Whistleblowers Expose Dangerous Practices
Two contractors from UG Solutions, who spoke on condition of anonymity to the AP, have reported that unqualified and unchecked security personnel are employing excessive force at GHF locations.
They detailed the regular use of stun grenades, pepper spray, and live ammunition, with shots being fired into the air, ground, and at Palestinians. One contractor recounted a situation where a Palestinian seemed to have been struck by gunfire.
“There are innocent people being hurt. Badly. Needlessly,” he said. Videos showed chaotic scenes with gunfire and crowds jostling for aid.
The contractors claimed that security staff acted with minimal restraint, throwing stun grenades and shooting to scatter crowds, even when there was no apparent threat.
One video captured contractors discussing a “show of force” involving Israeli tanks, followed by gunfire and cheers. Another contractor reported seeing a colleague shoot at Palestinians leaving with food, with one man collapsing 60 yards away.
Gaza’s Humanitarian Crisis Fuels Chaos
— Ethan Fowler (@EthanFowler32) July 3, 2025
Gaza’s 2 million Palestinians face a catastrophic humanitarian crisis, exacerbated by the 21-month war following Hamas’ October 7, 2023, attack on Israel. Israel’s blockade, which halted food, water, and medicine for 2.5 months, has left many on the brink of famine, per food security experts.
Over 57,000 Palestinians have been killed, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry. GHF, established in February 2025 and registered in Delaware, began operations in May to replace a U.N.-coordinated aid system, which Israel claimed was compromised by Hamas.
Palestinians report daily Israeli gunfire near GHF sites, located in military-controlled zones, with hundreds killed and wounded, per Gaza’s Health Ministry.
Israel denies targeting civilians, claiming warning shots and ongoing probes into civilian harm. Safe Reach Solutions, GHF’s logistics subcontractor, reported no serious injuries, attributing early gunfire to crowd control amid Gaza aid violence.
Videos and Reports Document Violence
Videos geolocated by the AP showed Palestinians crowded between metal gates, enduring gunfire, stun grenades, and pepper spray. Audio forensic experts confirmed live ammunition, including machine-gun fire, within 50-60 meters of the camera.
One video captured contractors encouraging each other after gunfire, with one saying, “I think you hit one.”
“There are innocent people being hurt. Badly. Needlessly,” the contractor said. He said American staff on the sites monitor those coming to seek food and document anyone considered “suspicious.” He said they share such information with the Israeli military. —[AP News]
An internal SRS report noted injuries in 31% of distributions over two weeks in June, though it did not specify causes. A photo showed a woman injured by a stun grenade fragment.
Internal communications revealed contractors used 37 stun grenades, 27 rubber-and-smoke projectiles, and 60 cans of pepper spray in a single June distribution.
For instance, the contractor who provided videos alleged American analysts and Israeli soldiers monitored sites via cameras, some equipped with facial recognition software, sharing data with Israeli authorities.
SRS denied using biometrics or gathering intelligence, stating coordination with Israel is standard for aid groups.
Controversial U.S. Funding and Oversight
The U.S. government’s $30 million pledge to GHF, the first known donation to the secretive organization, has sparked debate. GHF claims to have distributed over 50 million meal equivalents, but its funding sources remain opaque.
Critics argue the U.S. is complicit in a system that endangers civilians, with journalists barred from accessing sites. GHF’s spokesperson dismissed criticisms as attempts to undermine its mission, emphasizing its team’s experience.
However, the contractors’ accounts and videos suggest a lack of accountability, with Palestinians caught between American and Israeli fire.
Israel’s military denies deploying troops at GHF sites during operations, and SRS claims Hamas threatens aid workers, though contractors reported no Hamas threats at the sites.
Though the AP couldn’t verify all claims, evidence of Gaza aid violence clearly raises urgent questions about the safety and ethics of U.S.-backed aid efforts.
