WASHINGTON — Rep. Elise Stefanik, R-N.Y., has asked Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi to open a formal probe of Doctors Without Borders, the aid group known by its French acronym MSF, under the Anti-Terrorism Act. In a letter reviewed by Fox News Digital, Stefanik argues MSF has mounted a media campaign against the U.S.-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation and has propagated messaging that she characterizes as Hamas-aligned and potentially unlawful.
Stefanik contends that MSF’s public posture in the Gaza conflict goes beyond neutrality and amounts to propaganda that could undermine the largest-scale humanitarian food operation in Gaza run by the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF). She notes that the Anti-Terrorism Act prohibits providing material support to designated terrorist groups, including through propaganda, and she asks Bondi to review whether MSF’s actions warrant further action by law enforcement or regulators. The letter was obtained by Fox News Digital and circulated publicly as part of Stefanik’s effort to scrutinize humanitarian organizations operating in an active war zone.
Stefanik also points to operational data from the Gaza aid ecosystem to cast doubt on MSF’s neutrality. She notes that GHF has distributed 167 million meals to Gazans since it began operations in May, a footprint she frames as evidence of MSF’s potential influence over humanitarian outcomes in Gaza. By contrast, she cites United Nations data via the UN Office for Project Services showing that less than 18% of aid sent into Gaza by the U.N. has reached its destination due to theft and armed looting. Stefanik frames these dynamics as part of a broader contest over who controls relief in a volatile environment and argues that MSF’s platform could be instrumentalized to amplify disinformation linked to Hamas.
In outlining the charges, Stefanik highlights what she describes as indicators of MSF’s lack of neutrality. She claims the organization has not referenced hostages held by Hamas or campaigned for their medical treatment, and she lists several hostage cases in which individuals required specialized care to illustrate the human stakes involved. One hostage was reported to be receiving cancer treatment on Oct. 7; another had lost a hand in a grenade attack at a major festival; a third was nine months pregnant and gave birth while in captivity. Stefanik asserts that none of these cases appear in MSF’s public humanitarian advocacy, arguing that such omissions call into question MSF’s alleged impartiality in the Gaza conflict. To bolster her case, she also cites past incidents involving MSF staff, including a tribute following a staffer’s death in Gaza who was later identified by Israel Defense Forces as a rocket expert for Palestinian Islamic Jihad, and a separate instance in which a staffer publicly urged Palestinians to “fight and die as martyrs” according to a French publication.
Stefanik further requests that Bondi examine whether MSF, as a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit, may have violated nonprofit rules through its described political attacks and, if appropriate, refer the organization to the Internal Revenue Service for review. She characterizes the inquiry as a matter of national security, taxpayer and donor protection, and the defense of legitimate humanitarian work in one of the world’s most dangerous conflict zones. “This is not a matter of routine oversight,” Stefanik said in her letter, adding that the United States has a duty to uphold clear standards for aid organizations operating in conflict zones.
MSF did not respond to Fox News Digital’s questions about Stefanik’s letter by the time of publication. The charity, which operates internationally in crisis zones, has previously faced scrutiny over perceived political activity in conflict regions, though MSF has maintained that it adheres to principles of neutrality and independence in its humanitarian work. The letter is part of a broader political discourse surrounding humanitarian organizations’ roles in Gaza and the extent to which advocacy and public messaging may intersect with or diverge from neutral humanitarian action.
The Gaza crisis remains a flashpoint in U.S. politics, with lawmakers weighing the balance between supporting humanitarian access and scrutinizing organizations operating in war zones. The Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, described as U.S.-backed, has distributed hundreds of millions of meals since May, and aid flows in Gaza continue to face significant logistical and security challenges, including theft and looting that complicate relief efforts. The interplay between donor expectations, regulatory oversight, and on-the-ground humanitarian delivery remains a focal point for policymakers as they monitor how aid organizations operate in one of the world’s most dangerous humanitarian corridors.
As the debate unfolds, MSF’s public stance and internal policies in Gaza will be under renewed scrutiny from lawmakers and regulators who consider the implications of nonprofit status, political activity, and the role of humanitarian groups in conflict zones. The broader question for the public is how to ensure aid reaches those in need while maintaining clear boundaries between humanitarian action and political advocacy in an environment where every decision can have life-or-death consequences.
The discourse around MSF and similar organizations reflects ongoing tensions about neutrality, accountability, and effectiveness in crisis response, particularly in areas where militant organizations operate and where civilian populations are caught between warring parties. While Stefanik’s letter seeks to elevate scrutiny of MSF’s activities, humanitarian workers and observers emphasize the need for independent, fact-based assessments that preserve the essential mission of delivering aid to civilians in danger, regardless of political disputes among the groups delivering that aid. As events in Gaza continue to evolve, the balance between oversight and operational independence will likely remain a contentious topic among U.S. lawmakers, donors, and the international humanitarian community.