Hamas Accused of Killing Gaza Aid Workers in Ambush on GHF Convoy
Gaza aid group GHF accuses Hamas of deadly attack on its convoy near Khan Younis, killing 5 staff. Incident follows Hamas threats over aid distribution disputes as Gaza faces critical shortages.
By Ahora Qadi
ERBIL (Kurdistan24) – The Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF) has accused operatives from Hamas of attacking a convoy of its local aid workers near Khan Younis in southern Gaza, killing at least five staff members, injuring several others, and possibly abducting more, the organization announced on Wednesday.
According to a statement released by GHF, the ambush occurred around 10 p.m. as a bus transporting its personnel to an aid distribution site came under targeted assault. While the exact circumstances remain under investigation, the organization stated that the attack came after a string of public threats by Hamas against its staff and operations.
Rising Threats and Deadly Consequences
“This attack did not happen in a vacuum,” GHF said. “For days, Hamas has openly threatened our team, our aid workers, and the civilians who receive aid from us. These threats were met with silence.”
The organization’s statement did not include corroborating evidence, and the identities of the victims have not yet been independently verified. Social media accounts linked to Hamas claimed the operation targeted members of the Abu Shabab clan, allegedly for cooperating with Israel. However, the clan swiftly issued a public denial, refuting any affiliation with the GHF convoy or claims of collaboration.
Disputes Over Aid Mechanisms
The incident comes amid a broader dispute over how aid is delivered in Gaza. While the UN and international humanitarian agencies advocate for saturating the Strip with supplies to reduce demand-driven chaos, Israel and the United States have opposed a return to UN-coordinated channels, which they claim previously enabled Hamas to divert aid. The UN denies those accusations, arguing that its mechanisms ensure neutrality and transparency.
Hamas, for its part, has pushed to reinstate aid distribution through the UN framework, asserting that alternatives like GHF jeopardize civilians by forcing them to travel long distances in hazardous conditions.
A Region on the Brink
Aid access in Gaza remains a life-or-death issue. Since Israel partially lifted its blockade on May 19, an average of 65 trucks have entered the Strip each day—well below the 300-truck threshold the UN World Food Program deems necessary to meet the basic needs of Gaza’s population.
As regional tensions continue to escalate, the deadly attack on GHF staff marks a stark warning about the growing perils faced by both aid workers and the civilians they serve.
