Anthony Aguilar is a retired United States ArmyLieutenant Colonel and Special Forces officer (Green Beret) who served for 25 years.[1] In 2025, he became known as a whistleblower after making public allegations about operations at U.S.-and-Israeli-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF) aid distribution sites in Gaza, where he worked as a security contractor for UG Solutions.[2][3] His allegations of misconduct and war crimes at the aid sites sparked significant media coverage and official inquiries.[4]
After his military career, Aguilar worked for the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA).[5] He has also worked as a freelance medical interpreter in New York City emergency rooms and operating rooms.[5]
GHF whistleblower allegations
In mid-2025, Aguilar worked as a security contractor in Gaza for UG Solutions, which was contracted to provide security at aid distribution sites operated by the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation.[6] He resigned from his position after approximately two months, later becoming a whistleblower by publicly alleging severe misconduct.[7][8][2][6]
Key allegations
Aguilar's primary allegations, based on his public statements and interviews, include:
Witnessing contractors firing automatic weapons at crowds of civilians, which he described as "indiscriminate and unnecessary force"[1]
Characterizing the aid sites as "designed as death traps," built in active combat zones and surrounded by razor wire, which he stated violates the Geneva Conventions[6]
Reporting that a young boy named Amir was killed by gunfire shortly after collecting aid at one of the distribution points[7]
Alleging that a woman was killed by a stun grenade fragment, contradicting GHF's claim that she suffered from heat exhaustion[7]
Claiming contractors were armed with armor-piercing ammunition and were in Israel on tourist visas, which he argued violated international law[6]
Aguilar stated that his motivation for speaking out was based on his military training and commitment to "American values," despite claiming that he and his family had been threatened.[9] He testified about these conditions before Senator Chris Van Hollen.[1]
Responses to allegations
The GHF and UG Solutions have denied Aguilar's allegations. A GHF statement called the allegations "categorically false" and described Aguilar as a "disgruntled former contractor who was terminated for misconduct," a claim Aguilar denies.[2][10] UG Solutions' legal counsel stated that Aguilar was terminated on June 13, 2025, for "poor performance, volatile conflicts with staff and erratic behavior," and accused him of fabricating evidence.[1][11] The GHF also released affidavits from other contractors who claimed they did not witness the events Aguilar described.[1] The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said the incidents were "under review."[2]
Dispute over reported death of Palestinian boy (2025)
In September 2025, the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF) stated that a Palestinian boy, whom Anthony Aguilar had reported as shot and killed by the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), was alive and had been relocated outside Gaza with his mother.[12][13] The boy was identified as Abdul Rahim Muhammad Hamden (nicknamed "Abood"), nearly 9 years old. Aguilar had claimed in July 2025 that the boy—whom he referred to as "Amir" in media interviews, including with the BBC, was shot after receiving food at a GHF distribution site in southern Gaza.[14] Aguilar accused the GHF of complicity in war crimes and described IDF troops and U.S. contractors as using "indiscriminate" force against civilians, which drew international attention.[14]
In a GHF press briefing on September 4, 2025, spokesperson Chapin Fay stated that the IDF did not shoot Abood and described Aguilar's allegations as "entirely fabricated," noting that Abood confirmed he was never harmed by GHF or Israeli forces.[15]The GHF reported locating the boy and his mother through biometrics, local inquiries, and family contacts. They confirmed his identity using photographs and video footage, including images of him in the same shirt described in Aguilar's claims, as well as a statement from the mother that the evacuation was voluntary for the child's well-being.[13][14] The organization said it prioritized the search due to concerns that Aguilar's publicity had endangered the child, potentially making him a target for Hamas, which the GHF accused of benefiting from the narrative.[12] An internal GHF investigation, cross-referencing timelines, videos, and on-ground sources, led the organization to reject Aguilar's allegations.[14]
Personal life
Anthony Aguilar grew up in Chicago as the middle child of three boys, born to a Mexican mother and an Irish-American father.[5] Following his military service, he pursued higher education, earning a bachelor's degree in Organizational Leadership from South Texas College, which he completed in 2020. He also holds a Master's degree in International Finance. Aguilar is married to a retired career military officer, and they have a son.[5]
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