Unfounded Oxycodone Claims Target Gaza Aid Efforts
Claims that Israel and the U.S. are infusing Gaza aid with oxycodone appear to originate from terrorist supporters and Hamas-run agencies
Reports have recently surfaced on social media alleging that oxycodone, a powerful prescription opioid, has been found hidden inside flour bags distributed by the U.S.-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF). These claims assert that Israel or the United States is covertly smuggling the drug into Gaza to “drug the population.” However, closer examination shows that these accusations are unverified and originate from individuals who have openly celebrated the October 7th attacks, as well as from Hamas-run agencies.
According to the GHF, the timing and nature of these allegations suggest they are part of a broader campaign to undermine the organization’s humanitarian efforts and intimidate aid workers. It also coincides with the news that Hamas has now placed bounties on the heads of Gaza Humanitarian Fund workers, which includes Americans.
The Source of the Allegation
The initial claim appears to have surfaced from Abdullah Alattar, a self-described journalist in Gaza. Alattar posted images on Facebook purporting to show pills wrapped in tin foil, which he claimed were found inside flour bags. He asserted, without offering supporting evidence, that “Israel is trying to drug the population” by crushing oxycodone into the flour delivered from GHF. Notably, the images he shared did not show crushed pills, but rather intact tablets.
Alattar has a well-documented history of celebrating Hamas’s October 7 terrorist attack against Israel. On that day, he posted gleefully about the hostages taken by Hamas, writing, “35 prisoners in Gaza, good news coming.” He also shared photos of dead Israelis being paraded through Gaza, expressing open jubilation. In addition, Alattar praised the “precision” and “timeliness” of Hamas’s rocket attacks, which he claimed allowed Hamas fighters to move freely inside Israel. He also stated how proud he was of the images emerging from inside Israel during the onslaught.
Amplification by Hamas and its Supporters
The story was quickly picked up and amplified by Omar Hamad, a self-identified pharmacist and vocal Hamas supporter. Hamad repeated Alattar’s claims and cited the Anti-Drug Committee in Gaza, which appears to be a Hamas-run agency within Gaza’s Ministry of Health, as the source of verification. Multiple sources indicate that this "verification" actually comes from Hamas's Media Office, an official arm of the designated terrorist organization.
Hamad himself has boasted about his affiliation with Hamas and has publicly stated that he is “trained to kill Zionists,” and that he, “follows the path of Hamas.” At no point have these individuals or Hamas provided any independent verification, laboratory analysis, or credible third-party confirmation of their claims. The story remains based entirely on social media posts and statements from Hamas-controlled agencies and their supporters.
The narrative has been amplified across multiple social media platforms and picked up by several international news outlets, with the story circulating on YouTube channels, Middle Eastern news sites, and other online forums. Notably, the anti-American group National Students for Justice in Palestine (NSJP), in collaboration with Omar Hamad, shared a joint post on Instagram promoting the claim.
Hamas Places Bounties on GHF Personnel
This campaign of disinformation comes at a time when Hamas is actively targeting humanitarian workers in Gaza. On Saturday, the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation revealed that Hamas has placed bounties on the heads of its staff, including American workers and local Palestinian aid personnel.
According to GHF, Hamas is offering cash rewards for anyone who kills or injures their workers—a chilling escalation that follows previous attacks on GHF convoys and staff. In one recent incident, twelve GHF workers were killed and some tortured by Hamas operatives. U.S. Ambassador Mike Huckabee condemned these threats, stating that “Hamas’ main tool to control Gaza is GONE” now that GHF is providing aid directly to the people, bypassing Hamas’s corrupt networks.
Gaza Humanitarian Foundation Life-Saving Work Amid Disinformation Campaigns
Since its launch in May, the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation has distributed nearly 50 million meals, marking a historic shift in aid delivery during conflict. For the first time, food and supplies are reaching civilians without being siphoned off or taxed by Hamas.
GHF has repeatedly highlighted that it is the target of relentless disinformation campaigns orchestrated by Hamas, designed to sow distrust and fear among aid recipients and workers. The oxycodone story appears to be yet another example of this strategy.