In late June 2025, a rumor spread online that the drug oxycodone was discovered in flour bags distributed as humanitarian aid in Gaza by U.S.-Israeli groups. Oxycodone is an opioid used for pain management in medicine; it is highly addictive and can cause death.

The claim spread on X, Instagram and TikTok. Some posts included pictures of the alleged oxycodone pills found in the bags.

A Telegram channel that appeared to represent official communications for Gaza’s government did, in fact, announce its “deep concern and condemnation over the discovery of narcotic pills of the type ‘oxycodone’ inside flour bags that reached citizens from the so-called ‘American-Israeli aid centers,’ known as ‘death traps.'” In an emailed statement, the U.S. Department of State said it would refer an inquiry for more information about the alleged situation to the government of Israel and the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, a U.S.-backed group Israel approved to take over aid distribution in Gaza.

The GHF and the governments of Gaza and Israel did not immediately return inquiries for more information about the allegation. Thus, we do not know enough to rate this claim. Here’s what we do know:

On June 27, 2025, a Telegram channel called @mediagovps posted a statement (archived) in Arabic alleging the discovery of oxycodone in flour bags distributed by U.S.-Israeli aid centers. Here is the part of the statement focused on the specific incident, translated into English using Google Translate — as such, there may be errors (emphasis ours):

⭕ *Drug pills found inside flour bags from the so-called “American-Israeli aid centers” is a heinous crime targeting the health of civilians and the social fabric*

We express our deep concern and condemnation over the discovery of narcotic pills of the type “Oxycodone” inside flour bags that reached citizens from the so-called “American-Israeli aid centers,” known as “death traps.” We have so far documented four testimonies from citizens who found these pills inside flour bags. More serious is the possibility that some of these narcotic substances were deliberately ground or dissolved in the flour itself, which increases the scope of the crime and transforms it into a serious attack directly targeting public health.

We hold the “Israeli” occupation fully responsible for this heinous crime of spreading addiction and destroying the Palestinian social fabric from within, as part of a systematic policy that constitutes an extension of the crime of genocide carried out by the occupation against our Palestinian people. The Israeli occupation’s use of drugs as a soft weapon in a dirty war against civilians, and its exploitation of the blockade to smuggle these substances as “aid and assistance,” constitutes a war crime and a serious violation of international humanitarian law.

We warn our Palestinian people of this crime and reiterate our warning against visiting these dangerous centers, which are death traps and mass lures. We call on citizens to be cautious, inspect food supplies coming from these suspicious centers, and immediately report any suspicious substances. We also urge families to educate their children about the dangers of visiting these centers and using narcotics. We emphasize that community vigilance is the first line of defense against these malicious attempts.

News outlets closely following the Israeli offensive in Gaza, including Al Jazeera, reported on the statement above as official communications from Gaza’s Government Media Office. Snopes awaits confirmation from Gaza’s government to corroborate this.

The day before the Telegram statement, Palestinians on the ground, including pharmacist Omar Hamad and Dr. Khalil Mazen Abu Nada, also made similar allegations through social media. Hamad and Nada did not immediately return requests for more information.

The language used by the Telegram post echoes others, including the head of the United Nations agency for Palestinian refugees, Philippe Lazzarini, in calling the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation’s centers a “death trap” amid reports that Israeli forces have shot and killed hundreds of Palestinians near the sites.

Sources:

Al Jazeera English. “‘#Gaza’s Government Media Office Has Expressed Its “Deep Concern and Condemnation” over the Discovery of “Narcotic Pills of the Type ‘Oxycodone'” inside Flour Bags Distributed by the #US- and Israeli-Backed Aid Centres in the Enclave.⁠.⁠”We Have so Far Documented Four Testimonies from Citizens Who Found These Pills inside Flour Bags. More Serious Is the Possibility That Some of These Narcotic Substances Were Deliberately Ground or Dissolved in the Flour Itself, Which Raises the Scope of the Crime and Transforms It into a Serious Attack Directly Targeting Public Health,” Said the Statement Published by the Media Office on Telegram.⁠.⁠🔴 Follow Our LIVE Coverage – Link in Bio.⁠.⁠#Israel_Gaza_War #Israel #Palestine⁠.⁠📸 Eyad Baba, @Afpphoto.'” Instagram, www.instagram.com/p/DLaQH6iNa9b/. Accessed 30 June 2025.

Department of Justice, and Drug Enforcement Administration. Drug Fact Sheet. www.dea.gov/sites/default/files/2025-01/Oxycodone-Drug-Fact-Sheet_0.pdf. Accessed 30 June 2025.

“Gaza Humanitarian Foundation Aid Distribution System Must Be Dismantled.” Doctors without Borders – USA, www.doctorswithoutborders.org/latest/gaza-humanitarian-foundation-aid-distribution-system-must-be-dismantled. Accessed 30 June 2025.

“Gaza: Over 400 Palestinians Killed around Private Aid Hubs, UN Rights Office Says.” UN News, 24 June 2025, news.un.org/en/story/2025/06/1164846. Accessed 30 June 2025.

“GHF Boss Defends Gaza Aid Operation after Hundreds of Palestinians Killed near Sites.” BBC, 27 June 2025, www.bbc.com/news/articles/c20rz63g1zko.

Jabakhanji, Sara. “Why Are Hundreds of Palestinians Getting Killed Trying to Access Food in Gaza?” CBC, 25 June 2025, www.cbc.ca/news/world/gaza-humanitarian-foundation-deaths-palestinians-1.7568517. Accessed 30 June 2025.

Jahjouh, Mohammed, et al. “Palestinians Face Deadly Gantlet for Food in Gaza.” AP News, 21 June 2025, apnews.com/article/gaza-palestinians-food-aid-israel-284fa12b037db604342be1b3ea2120b4. Accessed 30 June 2025.

Lazzarini, Philippe. “#Gaza: Aid Distribution Has Become a Death Trap. Mass Casualties Including Scores of Injured & Killed among Starving Civilians due to Gunshots This Morning. This Is according to Reports from International Medics on Ground. A Distribution Point by the Israeli- American Plan Was Put Far South in #Rafah This Humiliating System Has Forced Thousands of Hungry & Desperate People to Walk for Tens of Miles to an Area That’s All but Pulverized due to Heavy Bombardment by the Israeli Army. Aid Deliveries & Distribution Must Be at Scale & Safe. In #Gaza, This Can Be Done Only through the United Nations Including @UNRWA . The State of Israel Must Lift the Siege & Allow the UN Safe + Unhindered Access to Bring in Aid & Distribute It Safely. This Is the Only Way to Avert Mass Starvation Including among 1 Million Children. With Competing Na….” X (Formerly Twitter), 1 June 2025, x.com/UNLazzarini/status/1929163364091256953. Accessed 30 June 2025.

Mayo Clinic. “Oxycodone (Oral Route) Description and Brand Names – Mayo Clinic.” Mayoclinic.org, www.mayoclinic.org/drugs-supplements/oxycodone-oral-route/description/drg-20074193. Accessed 30 June 2025.

“Omar Hamad | عُـمَـرْ 𓂆 on X: “the Most Despicable Form of Genocide ….” Archive.ph, 28 June 2025, archive.ph/VOuCc. Accessed 30 June 2025.

PBS News. “WATCH: State Department Asked about U.S. Funding $30 Million for Group Distributing Food in Gaza.” PBS News, 24 June 2025, www.pbs.org/newshour/world/watch-live-state-department-briefing-likely-to-address-israel-iran-ceasefire-trump-at-nato-summit. Accessed 30 June 2025.

“المكتب الإعلامي الحكومي.” Telegram, t.me/mediagovps/3718. Accessed 30 June 2025.