Within hours of its posts looking for “Humanitarian Liaison Officers” and “Team Managers,” dozens of would-be private military contractors submitted applications on LinkedIn.
Another position on offer a week ago but has since closed is for a “Team Deputy/Manager” to support “day-to-day management, planning, and mission execution.”
A liaison officer position appears to be analytically focused. It says that hires will “advise on best practices for engaging with affected populations, local authorities, and community-based organizations” while monitoring developments that could impact “operational posture.”
The team deputy position is geared towards recruits with a background in operations. One of the requirements is “field experience in the Middle East, especially in conflict-affected or post-crisis settings.”
The former Biden administration floated a costly pier project to bring aid into the Gaza Strip last year, but it was widely considered a failure. As a result, American private military contractors have already started arriving in Israel, and more are expected to follow.
Situation in Gaza
For both Israel and Hamas, the current Gaza-Israel war is the deadliest conflict in recent history. Fighting, and the collateral effects of the fighting, like malnutrition and disease, have killed over 50,000 people on both sides.
Unfortunately for everyone, and as of May 2025, it appears that Israel’s self-proclaimed war of annihilation may go on for a whole lot longer. Two tenuous ceasefires, one in November 2023 and another in January 2025, each broke down. Predictably, each side blames the other for these failures.
Because of a tightening blockade, Israel has persuasively or forcibly (depending on your perspective) removed most Gazan citizens. Those that remain face a humanitarian crisis that befits the scope of the fighting. Basic services, such as healthcare, electricity, sanitation, and even food, are in short supply or completely nonexistent in Gaza.
Various experts and human rights organizations throughout the world, and on both sides of the political aisle, have stated that Israel and Hamas have committed war crimes, including prisoner torture and sexual violence against civilians. The International Court of Justice is reviewing the matter. Meanwhile, the International Criminal Court reviewed and issued arrest warrants for Israeli leaders Benjamin Netanyahu and Yoav Gallant, as well as Hamas higher-up Mohammed Deif.
Moreover, fighting has spread throughout the region and threatens to expand even further. In late 2024, a year of strikes and counterstrikes between Israel and Hezbollah prompted an Israeli invasion of Lebanon, as well as the fall of the Assad regime and an ongoing Israeli invasion of Syria.
Private Military Contractor Duties in Gaza
Because of the depth of this crisis, humanitarian aid from around the world is moving into Gaza. This assistance includes not only tangible goods but also doctors and other professionals who are willing to lend a helping hand.
But truckloads of foodstuffs and medical supplies do not distribute themselves, and well-meaning individuals are unable to defend themselves against militants, kidnappers, and other rapscallions. Fortunately for everyone, private military contractors are in Gaza to provide essential security services.
Humanitarian security may be one of the most challenging jobs that private military contractors perform. It is like pulling a drowning man out of a lake in the middle of a tremendous storm. The desperate drowning man is almost as big a threat as the weather.
Amidst all this terror and violence, private military contractors who oversee aid distribution have a number of difficult jobs.
- Risk Assessment and Mitigation: Humanitarian security officers must continuously assess potential risks to personnel and operations, including political instability, criminal activity, and the presence of armed groups. This ongoing process includes using intelligence sources, monitoring conflict dynamics, and preparing contingency plans. Effective risk management strategies also include provisions for additional protective measures such as safe houses, armored vehicles, and communications tools.
- Security Training: Providing security training to humanitarian staff is a core responsibility. Staff members need to understand the risks they face and how to react in dangerous situations, such as armed attacks or kidnappings. This training might cover topics like personal safety, first aid, situational awareness, and emergency evacuation procedures.
- Coordination with Local and International Actors: Humanitarian security personnel must coordinate closely with local authorities, UN agencies, peacekeepers, and NGOs to ensure a unified approach to security. This connection helps avoid misunderstandings and enables more effective responses in times of crisis. Building relationships with local communities is also crucial for gaining support and gathering timely information.
- Monitoring and Reporting: Constant monitoring of the security situation is vital. This process includes analyzing trends, sharing updates with field staff, and making necessary adjustments to operational plans. Security officers should report incidents, share security updates with stakeholders, and review protocols regularly to ensure they align with the changing environment.
- Crisis Management: Security breaches are inevitable. When they occur, humanitarian security personnel must act swiftly, leading evacuation or lockdown procedures, and ensuring that staff and beneficiaries are safe. Post-crisis analysis and adjustments to security protocols are essential to adapt to new challenges.
Ultimately, humanitarian security duties are about minimizing risks while maximizing the effectiveness of life-saving operations. Of course, that’s much easier said than done.
Injury Compensation Available
Humanitarian relief contractors face danger from multiple threats, and the Defense Base Act pays multiple benefits to private military contractors who are injured overseas. A Defense Base Act lawyer unlocks benefits such as:
- Lost Wage Replacement: Most injured contractors receive two-thirds of their average weekly wage (AWW) for the duration of their temporary or permanent disabilities, which could be caused by a trauma injury (fall, gunshot wound, etc.) or occupational disease (hearing loss, infectious disease, etc.).
- Medical Bill Payment: The DBA insurance company must pay all reasonably necessary medical bills related to a deployment-connected injury or illness. Necessary medical expenses include not only hospitalization and after-care but also transportation, physical therapy, medical devices, and the list goes on.
Defense Base Act insurance companies cannot contest legal responsibility in these cases. But they often contest the amount of lost wage replacement and the payment of medical bills.
Intentional AWW miscalculation is a good example. The AWW is forward-looking as well as backward-looking. If Tom’s injury forces him to miss a performance bonus milestone, his lost wage compensation must reflect that missed bonus.
As for medical bills, insurance companies often approve one level down. For example, if a specialist performs emergency surgery, the insurance company will not pay the specialist’s premium.
Usually, a well-prepared Defense Base Act lawyer is able to resolve such disputes out of court, and on victim-friendly terms.
For more information about the DBA process, contact Barnett, Lerner, Karsen, Frankel & Castro, P.A.