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 sworn 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]
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]
This page is based on this Wikipedia article Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply. Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.
