The dire humanitarian crisis in Gaza has taken a deadly turn near critical aid distribution sites, with dozens of Palestinians reportedly killed by Israeli fire in multiple recent incidents. These deaths add to a grim pattern of violence and chaos surrounding efforts to deliver desperately needed food and supplies to a population facing the brink of starvation.
According to the Hamas-run Gaza health ministry and rescue workers, at least 30 Palestinians were killed on a recent Monday near sites operated by the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), a group backed by the US and Israel. Reports specified 28 deaths at a GHF center in al-Alam, Rafah, in southern Gaza, with two more fatalities near a site in the central Netzarim corridor. Many casualties sustained gunshot wounds, including to the head, according to a doctor at Nasser hospital in Khan Younis.
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) offered a different account, stating their troops fired warning shots at individuals they deemed suspects approaching them and posing a threat. This stark contrast in reporting highlights the difficulty in verifying events on the ground, particularly as Israel restricts access for international news organizations.
A Pattern of Fatal Incidents
These recent deaths are not isolated. Since the GHF began operating its aid distribution system on May 26, multiple reports indicate recurring deadly events near its sites. The Hamas-run health ministry claims that over 300 people have been killed and more than 2,600 wounded near these distribution points during this period. While the IDF contests the overall death toll and attributes much of the violence to Hamas, witness accounts consistently describe being fired upon while attempting to reach the aid.
Witnesses have described the distribution points as “a trap” and the scene as “a killing,” recounting chaotic rushes for food met with gunfire. One individual who sought aid stated, “We went there thinking we would get aid… but it turned out to be a trap.”
Adding another layer of complexity and danger, at least five Palestinian workers for the GHF were killed in an alleged ambush by Hamas gunmen in southern Gaza on a recent Wednesday. GHF condemned the attack, and the IDF claimed it validated their warnings that Hamas seeks to control aid distribution.
The Controversial Aid System
The GHF was established with Israeli and US backing, intended to replace the long-standing aid distribution system run by the United Nations and international NGOs. However, this new system has been mired in controversy and problems.
UN Refusal: UN agencies and major aid groups have reportedly refused to cooperate with the GHF, arguing the system violates humanitarian principles of neutrality and independence by giving Israel excessive control over distribution.
Differing Claims on Diversion: The US and Israel maintain the GHF system is necessary to prevent Hamas from diverting aid, an accusation Hamas denies and for which the UN states it has seen no evidence of systematic diversion.
Dangerous Locations: Two of the three GHF sites are located in Rafah, an area largely depopulated due to conflict and considered a military zone, forcing desperate civilians to approach close to Israeli forces.
Inaccessibility: The sites are in military zones inaccessible to independent media, making verification challenging.
UN human rights chief Volker Turk has strongly criticized the situation, accusing Israel of “weaponising food” and inflicting “horrifying, unconscionable suffering.” He has repeatedly called for a full investigation into the attacks near aid sites. UN officials stress that no one should have to risk their life to obtain aid.
Humanitarian Crisis Deepens
Experts and aid workers warn that Israel’s extended blockade and military campaign have pushed Gaza to the brink of famine. Despite a partial easing of the blockade earlier in the year, aid delivery remains severely hampered by restrictions, ongoing military operations, and a breakdown of law and order. Aid truck numbers entering Gaza remain significantly lower than the daily need.
A doctor lamented that the GHF distribution system had “failed 100%,” asserting that people simply cannot access the aid and advocating for UNRWA and other NGOs to resume responsibility. The GHF itself acknowledges the frequency of deadly incidents near its sites but maintains it has successfully distributed tens of thousands of food parcels “without incident” at the hubs themselves. It argues that increasing the volume of aid is necessary to reduce the desperation driving people to risk their lives.
Broader Conflict Context
The violence near aid sites unfolds within the larger context of the conflict that began with the Hamas-led attack on Israel on October 7, 2023. That attack killed about 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and involved the taking of 251 hostages. Israel’s subsequent military campaign in Gaza has resulted in widespread destruction and displacement, forcing approximately 90% of the population from their homes, often multiple times. According to the Gaza health ministry, over 55,000 Palestinians have been killed in the territory since the conflict began.
