By: Fern Sidman

In a chilling escalation of violence against humanitarian efforts, two American aid workers from the U.S.-based Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF) were injured Thursday morning when terrorists launched a grenade attack on an aid distribution site in Rafah. The site, crowded with desperate civilians seeking food and relief, was thrown into chaos as two explosive devices were hurled into the area, one of which detonated, causing injuries and panic.

According to multiple sources cited by Israel National News (INN), the perpetrators of the attack are believed to be affiliated with Hamas or allied terror groups operating in the southern Gaza Strip. The attack occurred at a time when humanitarian workers were handing out critical supplies, including food packages, water, and hygiene kits to a war-weary population still reeling from months of conflict.

Lieutenant Colonel Nadav Shoshani, the Israel Defense Forces’ English-language spokesperson, took to social media shortly after the incident, accusing Hamas of “actively sabotaging humanitarian operations” in Gaza. He confirmed that IDF troops stationed nearby provided immediate support and facilitated the safe evacuation of the wounded Americans for medical treatment.

“Just this morning, terrorists threw two grenades into an aid distribution site in Rafah, while civilians were still present,” Shoshani posted. “As a result of the explosion of one of the grenades, two American Gaza Humanitarian Foundation personnel were injured.”

Shoshani’s comments, reported by Israel National News, called attention to a growing pattern of what the IDF describes as “intentional disruption and endangerment of humanitarian work by Gaza-based militant organizations.”

The Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, which has been one of the few international organizations operating consistently within the besieged enclave, confirmed the details of the incident in a statement issued by its spokesman, Reverend Johnnie Moore.

“This morning, two American aid workers were injured distributing food as part of GHF activities,” Moore tweeted. “Early indication is that this was hostile action by Hamas. GHF continues to investigate and will update with more information as it becomes available.”

In remarks carried by Israel National News, Moore emphasized the non-political nature of the foundation’s mission. “All we want to do is feed Gazans. That’s all. These Americans are heroes who put their lives in harm’s way every day to do it.”

Moore expressed gratitude that the injuries sustained were not life-threatening and asked for public prayers for the injured workers and their families. As of Friday morning, the identities of the injured Americans had not been released, though GHF confirmed both are in stable condition and receiving professional medical care.

As Israel National News reported, Thursday’s attack is the latest in a string of security breaches targeting humanitarian safe zones in southern Gaza. While the international community has repeatedly pressed for the uninterrupted flow of aid, incidents such as these complicate logistics and force aid organizations to weigh their presence against the increasing risk to staff.

INN analysts note that Hamas and other armed groups have demonstrated a strategic interest in disrupting foreign relief efforts—both to control distribution and to use humanitarian chaos as a propaganda tool. Attacking high-visibility aid zones while international personnel are present, however, signals a particularly disturbing shift.

A senior Israeli security official, speaking anonymously to Israel National News, characterized the assault as a “calculated act of terror,” designed to send a message to Western actors engaged in relief operations.

“This wasn’t an accident. It was a direct strike on the lifelines that keep Gaza’s civilian population from starvation and disease. And it was carried out in full knowledge that Americans were on site,” the source said.

Thursday’s grenade attack is likely to reverberate far beyond the borders of Gaza. The wounding of U.S. nationals under circumstances linked to Hamas places fresh pressure on Washington to reassess its diplomatic and humanitarian posture in the region.

While there has yet to be an official response from the Trump administration, Israeli media outlets, including Israel National News, anticipate that congressional leaders will demand accountability. Calls are expected for an investigation not only into the specific attack but into broader threats facing American and international aid workers in Gaza.

Reverend Moore, in his latest statement, emphasized that GHF has no intention of ceasing operations. “We will not abandon the people of Gaza. But we demand security for our teams, and we demand the international community stand with us in condemning attacks like these.”

Despite the attack, Israeli authorities continue to coordinate with international organizations to permit the flow of humanitarian aid into Gaza. Israel National News reported that IDF units operating in the Rafah corridor provided logistical support for the evacuation of the injured Americans and maintained security perimeters to prevent further escalation.

Lt. Col. Shoshani reiterated that Hamas bears full responsibility for placing civilians and aid workers in harm’s way. “The world needs to understand that Hamas is not only holding hostages—it’s holding all of Gaza hostage, including those who try to help,” he said.

The grenade attack in Rafah marks a grim milestone in Gaza’s ongoing tragedy: the explicit targeting of American humanitarian workers who represent the last thread connecting Gaza’s besieged civilian population with vital aid. As Israel National News has reported, the conflict is not only being waged on battlefields but also in breadlines, shelters, and medical centers.

If Thursday’s incident becomes the new norm, it threatens to unravel the already fragile humanitarian architecture in Gaza—and with it, the prospect of any meaningful civilian recovery. For now, two Americans bear the scars of an attack meant to silence compassion. The world must decide whether it will allow such cruelty to go unanswered.