Hamas attacks Gaza aid convoy, killing five, possibly taking hostages

Hamas attacked a Gaza aid convoy near Khan Yunis, killing at least five staff members from the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), injuring others, and potentially taking some hostage on Wednesday night, the organisation said on Thursday morning.

The U.S.- and Israeli-backed GHF described the attack as deliberate and unprovoked. “We are still gathering facts, but what we know is devastating: there are at least five fatalities, multiple injuries, and fear that some of our team members may have been taken hostage,” the organisation said.

The GHF has come under repeated threats from Hamas, according to its leadership, particularly over its independent aid delivery model that bypasses Hamas-controlled channels. “This attack did not happen in a vacuum. 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 organisation stated.

Hamas-affiliated social media accounts claimed responsibility for a Wednesday night assault, saying it targeted members of the Abu Shabab clan — a family alleged to have cooperated with Israeli initiatives. However, the Abu Shabab clan itself denied the claim, stating that its members were not involved in the incident and condemning the violence.

“This was not a clash between rival factions. These were aid workers. Humanitarians. Fathers, brothers, sons, and friends who were risking their lives every day to help others,” said a GHF spokesperson. “Tonight, the world must see this for what it is: an attack on humanity.”

The Israel Defence Forces (IDF) have not confirmed any involvement or response to the incident, but they have previously warned Palestinians not to approach aid sites before 6 a.m. due to security risks. Nevertheless, GHF distributed food at its central Gaza site overnight, finishing before dawn Thursday — just hours after the attack.

Hamas has been firing on Palestinians making their way to distribution centres, and residents of the Strip accuse the terror group of violence to deliberately disrupt the aid.

Israel has rejected claims it soldiers were responsible for the deadly gunfire, though it confirms firing warning shots at individuals straying from pre-approved access paths on several occasions.

“Despite this heinous attack, we will continue our mission to provide critical aid to the people of Gaza,” the GHF said. “We call on the international community to immediately condemn Hamas for this unprovoked attack and continued threat against our people simply trying to feed the Palestinian people.”

At least 1,180 people were killed, and 252 Israelis and foreigners were taken hostage in Hamas’s attacks on Israeli communities near the Gaza border on October 7. Of the 53 remaining hostages, around 30 are believed to be dead.