Ugep, Nigeria – June 28, 2025, 06:45 AM WAT
By Goodnews Ibiang
GAZA CITY – The Gaza Government Media Office has issued a scathing statement alleging the discovery of oxycodone, a potent opioid painkiller, hidden within flour bags distributed as part of U.S.-backed humanitarian aid in the Gaza Strip. The revelation, reported late Friday, has ignited accusations of a deliberate contamination scheme, with officials pointing fingers at Israeli and American-operated aid centers as complicit in what they describe as a "heinous crime" aimed at destabilizing Palestinian society.
According to the Gaza authorities, four separate testimonies have confirmed the presence of oxycodone pills within aid packages, with some suggesting the drugs may have been crushed and mixed into the flour itself. Images circulating on social media, including a post by Drop Site News on June 27, 2025, depict the pills alongside flour sacks, fueling public concern. The Media Office warned that this contamination poses a severe public health risk, urging residents to inspect all aid supplies and avoid distribution centers labeled as "death traps" by local officials.
Oxycodone, typically prescribed for severe pain management, is highly addictive and can lead to life-threatening side effects, including respiratory failure and hallucinations. Its presence in aid supplies is particularly striking given the chronic shortage of pain medications in Gaza, where Israeli border controls have restricted medical imports to 30-day supplies for doctors, as noted in a 2021 BMJ study.
The Gaza Government Media Office has accused Israel of using the opioid as a "soft weapon" in a "dirty war" to undermine the social fabric of the Palestinian population, framing it as an extension of the ongoing conflict. The statement specifically targets the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), a U.S.-Israeli aid organization operating under Israeli supervision, which has faced widespread criticism for its lack of transparency and accountability. Gaza authorities claim the GHF-run centers have contributed to 549 deaths and over 4,000 injuries since their establishment, with an additional 39 starvation-related deaths reported in the past month alone.
The Media Office has called for the immediate closure of these aid centers and urged the United Nations Human Rights Council and the International Criminal Court (ICC) to intervene, advocating for aid distribution to be managed exclusively by official UN bodies such as the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA).
The allegations have sparked a wave of outrage on social media, with users questioning the motives behind the inclusion of such a controlled substance. "This is literal chemical warfare. Is Israel trying to play war crimes bingo?" tweeted Trey Callahan on June 27. Others, like Paul Zed, expressed skepticism, asking, "But why? What can Israel get from putting expensive pills in flour?" Some speculate the move could be an attempt at ethnic cleansing, citing the drug’s potential to impair reproductive health with prolonged use.
Independent reports, including a June 27 article by Middle East Eye, corroborate the Gaza Media Office’s claims, citing health officials who identified oxycodone in aid packages. The TRT Global network also reported on the findings, suggesting the contamination may be a tactic amid Israel’s stringent siege, which has severely limited access to essential medical supplies.
The discovery comes against a backdrop of documented challenges in delivering aid to Gaza. Refugees International has repeatedly highlighted Israel’s failure to comply with international humanitarian law, noting that only 11% of goods reaching warehouses were distributed in October 2024 due to movement restrictions and violence. The GHF’s controversial aid model, which bypasses traditional UN channels, has been linked to significant casualties, with NPR reporting 410 deaths at its distribution sites.
Israel has yet to issue an official response to the allegations, but the claims have intensified calls for an independent investigation. The U.S., a key backer of the aid program, has also remained silent as of this morning.
Gaza authorities have urged families to educate children about the dangers of narcotics and to report any suspicious substances in aid supplies. The international community is now under pressure to address the escalating humanitarian crisis, with demands for unimpeded access to aid and the restoration of essential services across the region.
As investigations unfold, the presence of oxycodone in Gaza’s aid supplies raises profound questions about the integrity of humanitarian efforts and the ongoing conflict’s toll on civilian life. This story will continue to develop as more details emerge.
