“I witnessed the Israeli Defense Forces shooting at the crowds of Palestinians,” Tony Aguilar the whistleblower who exposed Israeli War Crimes, in a shocking testimony to the BBC. His firsthand account revealed unprecedented levels of brutality against starving civilians seeking humanitarian aid in Gaza.
As a whistleblower who documented these atrocities, Aguilar specifically highlighted the “indiscriminate and unnecessary force” used against unarmed Palestinian populations. Meanwhile, the Gaza Humanitarian Forum (GHF) has delivered over 100 million meals since late May, though this aid effort has been marred by violence. According to reports, health authorities have stated that more than 1,000 Palestinians have been killed while seeking aid since GHF began its operations.
The humanitarian crisis continues to worsen as Gaza’s population of over two million faces imminent famine. Furthermore, the official death toll in Gaza has exceeded 60,249 Palestinians since the war began in October 2023, with at least 147 Palestinians, including 88 children, having starved to death. Consequently, Aguilar’s testimony has drawn international attention to the conduct of military forces at aid distribution sites and raised serious questions about violations of international humanitarian law.
Who is Tony Aguilar, and why does he matter
Before becoming a prominent whistleblower, Anthony “Tony” Aguilar built an extraordinary military career spanning a quarter century. This retired lieutenant colonel served for 25 years in the U.S. Army Special Forces as a Green Beret. A West Point graduate, Aguilar’s service record includes 12 deployments to Iraq and three to Afghanistan, plus missions in Syria, Tajikistan, Kazakhstan, Jordan, the Philippines, and several other Asian countries. His distinguished career earned him multiple decorations, including a Purple Heart after being wounded in combat, a Bronze Star, and an Army Commendation Medal for valor.
His military background and service record
Between Aguilar and his wife (also a retired military officer), they accumulated 45 years of military service. Their dedication to country meant sacrificing countless family milestones—birthdays, anniversaries, and holidays—throughout their 17-year marriage and their son’s childhood. After retirement, Aguilar settled in Davidson, North Carolina, embracing civilian life with simple pleasures: making breakfast for his family, taking his son to school, attending Boy Scout meetings, and walking the dog.
How he was recruited by UG Solutions
On May 13, Aguilar received a call from UG Solutions, a security subcontractor for the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF). The company specifically sought veterans with special operations backgrounds. Despite being content in retirement with no political aspirations, Aguilar accepted the position as an independent subcontractor. Notably, he and other contractors entered Gaza on tourist visas to Israel, carrying weapons with limited guidance regarding rules of engagement.
Initial belief in the humanitarian mission
Aguilar initially viewed the mission with enthusiasm. “When I first went into this, I was excited. I felt it was a noble cause,” he explained. He believed his unique skills could help feed starving people—a purpose he considered worthy of his time and energy. Moreover, his decision aligned with the Special Forces motto “De Oppresso Liber” (To free the oppressed). In his view, Gaza’s civilian population faced oppression through a lack of food, water, education, dignity, and basic necessities, regardless of political or religious considerations.
What He Witnessed at GHF Aid Sites
During his 27-day deployment, Aguilar’s idealistic view of the humanitarian mission quickly collapsed in the face of shocking realities. He documented numerous incidents that fundamentally changed his perspective on the operation.
Use of live ammunition and crowd control weapons
The scenes at GHF aid sites revealed widespread use of force against Palestinian civilians. Aguilar witnessed Israeli forces controlling the movement of Palestinians through live ammunition. Additionally, he documented security contractors regularly deploying stun grenades, pepper spray, and occasionally live rounds toward crowds of Palestinians seeking food. During one June distribution alone, contractors used 37 stun grenades, 27 rubber-and-smoke projectiles, and 60 cans of pepper spray.
Lack of vetting and chaotic distribution
The aid distribution process itself was dangerously flawed. Aguilar described it as an uncontrolled “free-for-all” that often left vulnerable people with nothing. In fact, Human Rights Watch analyzed 105 distributions and found that 54 distribution windows lasted less than 20 minutes. The chaotic scenes resulted in thousands of boxes disappearing within 8-11 minutes.
Death of civilians, including children
The human cost was devastating. Aguilar recounted witnessing an Israeli tank fire on a civilian vehicle outside Site 4, killing four people inside. In another disturbing incident, he was monitoring a distribution when a senior Israeli commander ordered him to tell contractors to shoot three unarmed children who had been lifted onto a barrier. When Aguilar refused, the commander threatened, “Tell your men to shoot them now or we will shoot them”.
Video evidence and personal documentation
Throughout his deployment, Aguilar meticulously documented these incidents. His evidence includes video of contractors firing into crowds. In one recording from Site 4 on May 29, Aguilar captured footage of a contractor firing into a crowd, after which a man dropped motionless to the ground. Another contractor can be heard saying, “Damn, man, I think you got one,” to which the shooter responded, “Hell yeah, boy”.
The Fallout: Reactions from GHF, IDF, and U.S. Lawmakers
Following Aguilar’s explosive revelations, an immediate blame game erupted.
GHF and UG Solutions’ official responses
The Gaza Humanitarian Foundation swiftly dismissed Aguilar’s testimony, labeling him a disgruntled ex-employee “fired for inappropriate behavior.” They further claimed he “threatened repercussions unless reinstated” and accused him of forging documents to promote a “false narrative.” UG Solutions’ counsel David Panzer supported this position, stating Aguilar was terminated “due to poor performance, volatile conflicts with staff, and erratic behavior.”
Contradictory affidavits and denials
GHF published affidavits from other contractors directly contradicting Aguilar: “I did not witness anyone firing warning shots in the direction of civilians.” However, Aguilar countered by pointing out that UG Solutions themselves had posted one of his videos showing contractors shooting at civilians. The IDF maintained they “only fire warning shots to control crowds,” yet admitted their fire has killed “several” Palestinians at aid sites.
Statements from U.S. senators and international leaders
Senator Bernie Sanders shared Aguilar’s testimony, noting he “witnessed atrocities committed using American taxpayer dollars.” Subsequently, Senator Van Hollen led 19 senators urging “immediate cessation of all U.S. funding for GHF.” French Foreign Minister Barrot condemned GHF for generating “a bloodbath” in Gaza.
Media coverage and public outrage
Over 240 NGOs demanded an end to “the deadly Israeli distribution scheme.” The UN Secretary-General declared that “channeling desperate civilians into militarized zones is inherently unsafe.”
Why Aguilar Spoke Out and What It Means
On June 13, 2025, Aguilar formally resigned from UG Solutions, explicitly stating he “could no longer be a part of this unethical, inhumane operation”. His decision came at a significant personal cost—walking away from substantial compensation to honor his values and principles.
His resignation and public testimony
After leaving Gaza, Aguilar brought his evidence to lawmakers and media outlets. Essentially, he presented detailed accounts of systematic violence against civilians seeking food. His testimony contrasted sharply with GHF’s claims of delivering “95 million meals“, pointing out that these distributions provided merely 14.8 days of meals when divided among Gaza’s 2.2 million residents.
Allegations of war crimes and violations of international law
Aguilar unequivocally labeled what he witnessed as “war crimes”. He pointed out that positioning humanitarian distribution sites within active combat zones violated Geneva Convention protocols. Likewise, the use of razor wire—specifically prohibited by international law—around aid sites represented another serious breach.
Call for UN-led humanitarian aid
Rather than reforming GHF, Aguilar advocated for its complete dissolution: “The Gaza Humanitarian Foundation needs to be defunded, shut down, and the United Nations needs to be allowed back in, in full scale”. He noted that whereas GHF could only provide about 60 trucks daily, UN-led operations had delivered 600 trucks per day during earlier ceasefire periods.
Implications for U.S. foreign policy and military ethics
Aguilar framed his whistleblowing as a patriotic duty, stating: “What we are doing in Gaza, in being complicit with what the Israeli Defense Forces are doing, is un-American”. He invoked his military oath and American values of “dignity, respect, and respect for human life”. Hence, his testimony raises profound questions about America’s ethical responsibilities in international conflicts.
Final Thoughts on Tony Aguilar The Whistleblower Who Exposed Israeli War Crimes
The international community has responded forcefully to Tony Aguilar’s whistleblowing about Israeli war crimes. France’s foreign minister, Jean-Noel Barrot, called for the immediate cessation of GHF activities, describing the militarized distribution system as “a bloodbath” and “shameful”. Undoubtedly, this reflects growing global concerns as a hunger monitor confirmed famine conditions in Gaza, with children under five dying of hunger-related causes.
Fifteen international human rights organizations have collectively demanded that GHF cease operations, warning that private contractors risk “aiding and abetting or otherwise being complicit in crimes under international law”. The UN estimates Israeli forces have killed more than 1,000 people seeking food since May, primarily near GHF distribution sites.
Altogether, these revelations highlight a humanitarian system in crisis. Senator Elizabeth Warren questioned redirecting $500 million from USAID to GHF, while human rights advocates called for returning to UN-operated relief efforts that previously delivered aid at scale during ceasefires.
Aguilar’s description of Gaza as “a dystopian, post-apocalyptic wasteland” continues to resonate globally. His statement that “we, the United States, are complicit” in these atrocities has prompted significant soul-searching about American values and international humanitarian law. Ultimately, his testimony stands as a stark reminder that civilian protection must remain paramount even amid the most complex conflicts.
FAQs
1. Who is Tony Aguilar?
Tony Aguilar is a retired U.S. Army Lieutenant Colonel and former Green Beret with 25 years of military service. In 2025, he became a whistleblower after witnessing and documenting Israeli war crimes during a humanitarian mission in Gaza.
2. What did Aguilar witness in Gaza?
Aguilar testified to witnessing Israeli Defense Forces and security contractors using live ammunition, stun grenades, and pepper spray against unarmed Palestinian civilians at aid distribution sites. He also documented the deaths of children and other non-combatants during these operations.
3. What organization hired Tony Aguilar for the Gaza mission?
Aguilar was hired by UG Solutions, a subcontractor for the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF). He entered Gaza on a tourist visa through Israel and was armed, but had minimal guidance on rules of engagement.
4. Why did Aguilar decide to blow the whistle?
After 27 days of witnessing what he called systematic violence and potential war crimes, Aguilar resigned, stating he could no longer be part of an “unethical, inhumane operation.” He later shared evidence with U.S. lawmakers and the media.
5. What kind of evidence did Aguilar provide?
Aguilar presented video footage, written accounts, and personal testimony documenting Israeli and contractor aggression against Palestinians seeking food. One video captured a contractor shooting into a crowd, resulting in a death.
6. How did GHF and UG Solutions respond to Aguilar’s claims?
GHF dismissed Aguilar as a disgruntled former employee and accused him of misconduct. UG Solutions echoed these claims, but Aguilar countered that even GHF had previously shared his footage. Contradictory affidavits from other contractors were also released.
7. What was the reaction from U.S. lawmakers?
Senator Bernie Sanders shared Aguilar’s account publicly. Senator Chris Van Hollen led 19 senators in calling for the suspension of U.S. funding to GHF. Other lawmakers questioned U.S. complicity in humanitarian violations.
8. How many Palestinians have died seeking aid, according to Aguilar and reports?
Over 1,000 Palestinians have reportedly been killed while seeking aid at GHF distribution sites. The overall death toll in Gaza since October 2023 exceeds 60,249, including thousands of children.
9. What violations of international law are alleged?
Aguilar accused Israeli forces and GHF of violating Geneva Convention protocols, using razor wire, and conducting military operations in humanitarian zones. Human rights groups warned that GHF may be complicit in war crimes.
10. What is Aguilar advocating for now?
Aguilar has called for the dissolution of GHF and the return of UN-led humanitarian efforts in Gaza. He argues that only a neutral, demilitarized system can protect civilians and deliver aid at scale.