Washington - Saba:
Four Democratic members of Congress have demanded urgent explanations from two private security companies regarding reports of their involvement in lethal violence against Palestinian civilians in the Gaza Strip, in the context of operations linked to the controversial Gaza Humanitarian Foundation.
According to CNN, which reviewed the letter on Friday, Senators Peter Welch and Chris Van Hollen, along with Representatives Joaquin Castro and Sarah Jacobs, expressed "deep concern" over reports that members of the companies UG Solutions and Safe Rich Solutions were involved in the use of lethal force against civilians during the distribution of humanitarian aid.
According to the letter, the two companies are suspected of sending former American combatants to Israel on tourist visas incompatible with their mission. They were later transferred to the Gaza Strip, where they reportedly participated in crowd dispersal operations using live ammunition, stun grenades, and pepper spray, under the direct supervision of the Israeli military.
The lawmakers added that these activities could constitute direct involvement in combat operations outside US and Israeli borders, potentially exposing participants to legal prosecution, including charges of serious violations such as torture or war crimes. The lawmakers demanded an official response within 14 days, including clarification of the rules of engagement and whether employees or investors were notified of potential legal risks.
They also called for the preservation of all documents, recordings, and communications related to work contracts with Gaza Humanitarian, which has also come under widespread criticism from aid organizations following the deaths of hundreds of Palestinians near the aid distribution points it oversees.
Although US officials have defended the organization as the only entity "able to ensure aid delivery and prevent Hamas's seizure," a USAID investigation found no evidence of systematic misappropriation by the movement. Neither UG Solutions nor Safe Reach Solutions had issued official comments at the time of publication.
| more of (International) |