Egypt Daily News – Authorities in Gaza have accused aid distribution centers supported by the United States and Israel of distributing flour bags laced with the powerful narcotic oxycodone. The claims, announced by Gaza’s Government Media Office, suggest that the opioid may have been mixed directly into the flour being handed out to a population already facing acute shortages of food and medicine due to months of conflict and blockade.
According to local officials, the alleged contamination represents an attempt to undermine public health and destabilize Palestinian society by fostering addiction. The statement condemned the act as a “heinous crime” and attributed full responsibility to the Israeli occupation, claiming the distribution of drug-laced flour is part of a broader strategy to erode Gaza’s social fabric from within.
Omar Hamad, a pharmacist and writer in Gaza, stated that the drug was not merely hidden in the aid supplies, but appeared to be ground into the flour itself. The claims have ignited concern among residents, prompting Gaza’s Anti-Drug Committee to urge civilians to scrutinize food products received from the newly established aid centers and to report any suspicious substances.
The accusations coincide with mounting criticism from the international community over the safety and structure of current aid distribution mechanisms in Gaza. The aid program, coordinated in part by the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, an initiative backed by the U.S. and Israel commenced operations on May 26.
The launch followed a near-total suspension of supplies into the territory for more than two months, a period during which humanitarian organizations warned of an imminent famine.
The United Nations has condemned what it described as the weaponization of food in Gaza, calling the situation a potential war crime. Reports indicate that hundreds of Palestinians have been killed or injured while attempting to access aid distribution points, with many shot or targeted by military fire during aid-related gatherings. Human rights officials have criticized the aid strategy for forcing desperate civilians to choose between starvation and the risk of being shot while seeking food.
The secretary-general of the United Nations has labeled the current aid operation “unsafe,” citing reports that militarized control over aid distribution has led to increased casualties. In response to growing scrutiny, the Israeli military has reportedly initiated an internal inquiry into its conduct near the aid centers.
Despite these developments, the United States has continued to support the aid initiative financially, recently pledging an additional $30 million. However, concerns remain over the neutrality and effectiveness of the distribution system, especially amid widespread reports of chaos and violence at food drop locations.
Gaza remains on the brink of a humanitarian collapse. With infrastructure devastated and access to clean water, food, and healthcare severely restricted, aid remains a critical lifeline. Yet allegations of drug contamination and increasing violence at distribution points further complicate an already dire situation.
Investigations into these claims are ongoing as calls grow louder for a reassessment of international aid mechanisms and greater protection for civilians.
