U.S.-Backed Aid Group Faces Hamas Bounties, 12 Local Workers Killed Amid Calls for UNRWA Reinstatement in Gaza Ceasefire Talks

Gaza – Hamas has reportedly placed bounties on American aid workers operating in Gaza and is demanding the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) be reinstated as the primary aid distributor in any ceasefire agreement. This development, detailed in a State Department cable obtained by journalist Adam Kredo and reported by the Washington Free Beacon, highlights escalating tensions surrounding humanitarian efforts in the besieged territory. The report specifically targets the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), a U.S.-Israeli backed organization that has been distributing aid, stating that Hamas "formally placed bounties" on GHF's U.S. and Palestinian workers.

The Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF) was established to bypass traditional aid channels, including UNRWA, due to long-standing allegations of the latter's ties to Hamas and the diversion of aid. GHF has claimed significant success in delivering over 60 million meals since its inception. However, its operations have come under direct threat, with two American aid workers reportedly injured in a grenade attack and 12 local GHF staff members allegedly killed by Hamas.

Hamas's demand for UNRWA's return is a critical sticking point in ongoing ceasefire negotiations. Al Jazeera reported that Hamas insists aid be delivered through UN-led mechanisms rather than the GHF. This stance aligns with Hamas's broader efforts to undermine GHF, which it views as a threat to its control over aid distribution.

UNRWA, while denying widespread involvement with Hamas, has faced accusations from Israel that some of its staff participated in the October 7 attacks and that its facilities have been used by militants. Israel has enacted legislation to ban UNRWA from operating in areas under its control, including East Jerusalem, and advocates for its replacement. Despite these controversies, UNRWA remains a critical provider of services for millions of Palestinians, with the agency reporting over 408 aid workers killed in Gaza since October 2023.

The broader context reveals Gaza as one of the most perilous environments for humanitarian personnel globally. Reports from the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) and the Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC) indicate that hundreds of aid workers, predominantly local staff, have been killed since the conflict's escalation. Concerns persist regarding deliberate targeting of aid convoys and facilities, and the effectiveness of deconfliction mechanisms designed to protect humanitarian operations. This ongoing violence and the politicization of aid delivery severely hamper efforts to address the dire humanitarian crisis in Gaza.