Injuries Sustained by US Aid Workers Amid Ongoing Gaza Conflict

An attack in Khan Younis critically injures two US aid workers from the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation. The organization blames Hamas while calling attention to ongoing violence against civilians and the need for humanitarian reforms, as calls for a ceasefire arise and casualty figures continue to escalate.

In a troubling incident amidst the ongoing conflict in Gaza, two American aid workers from the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF) have sustained injuries following an attack during a relief distribution. The foundation, which distributes aid with the backing of both Israel and the US, reported that militants threw grenades at an aid center in Khan Younis. It pointed fingers at Hamas for the Saturday attack, emphasizing that the injured workers are stable and currently receiving medical treatment. Fortunately, no other aid workers or civilians were hurt during the incident.

Launched in May, the GHF has faced criticism for its operational tactics, which have forced many individuals to traverse combat zones to access aid. Local reports indicate that over 400 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli forces while trying to collect food assistance since the scheme began. In response to violence, Israeli authorities state that the new aid distribution model is designed to prevent assistance from reaching Hamas.

The incident comes on the heels of Hamas signaling their willingness to engage in ceasefire discussions with Israel. The GHF announced that the violent episode occurred at the end of an otherwise successful aid distribution, during which thousands of Gazans were able to receive crucial food supplies. The organization has also raised alarms over threats to American personnel, Palestinian aid workers, and civilians, reiterating that Hamas has made plans to target them.

Hamas has yet to respond officially to the attack. Meanwhile, Gaza's civil defense agency reports that Israeli military operations claimed the lives of 32 Palestinians on the same day. On Friday, Hamas indicated readiness to explore a ceasefire agreement proposed by the US, which could involve a staggered release of Israeli hostages in exchange for Palestinian detainees in Israel.

Hamas is requesting modifications to the ceasefire draft, including assurances that hostilities would not resume immediately after the ceasefire ends, and insists on the GHF's dissolution in favor of UN-led aid distribution. Meanwhile, Israeli authorities have rejected these demands, and the region continues to reel from escalating violence. According to Gaza’s health ministry, the total death toll from the continuous military actions has now reached 57,338, marking a significant human tragedy since the onset of the conflict following Hamas’s attacks on October 7, 2023, which resulted in extensive civilian casualties and hostages taken.