On Sunday, riot like scenes broke out at a Gaza aid distribution center run by the U.S.-backed Global Humanitarian foundation (GHF). Unfortunately, this resulted in a tragic loss of life. Thousands of desperate Palestinians flocked around the location, looking for a morsel to eat in an area choked by extreme scarcity. As they fled the prospect of starvation, they were faced with bullets. Per the Palestinian health ministry, at least 31 individuals have died as a result of the mass shooting. In addition, more than 200 were injured, many as a result of gunshot wounds.
The GHF coordinated the distribution event in response to increasing allegations that Hamas has been using civilians as human shields. Israel asserts that Hamas has been stealing and profiting from humanitarian aid intended for Gaza’s civilians. However, in spite of GHF’s promises that every drop of assistance would get through without mishap, things fell apart almost immediately on the ground.
Tensions Escalate at GHF Distribution Site
Whichever way it was ordered, the scene at the GHF-run distribution site was a madhouse. Thousands of starving Palestinians risked chaotic scenes, stampedes, and point-blank gunfire to try and secure packets of UN-provided food aid to survive on. Survivors’ testimony paints a picture of overwhelming terror as people fought and clawed their way towards small crates of food. Saqer, a young resident of Makhmour, described the mood succinctly.
“We survived a night that was worse than we could imagine. The reality for people was one of death and hunger searching for food.” – Saqer
Witnesses recalled the chaos as crowds rushed to hoard rations in the crisscross of tracer fire above, sounding like Black Cats and turning night into day. Everything changed in a matter of weeks. The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) were deployed to ensure safe passage along these newly demarcated routes within the area. In spite of their presence, tensions escalated when IDF troops allegedly fired warning shots.
According to the IDF, soldiers opened fire after identifying “several suspects moving toward them, deviating from the designated access routes.” As many eyewitnesses testified, the gunfire was targeted at civilians, not warning shots fired in the air.
“He was waving his hands towards the tank and within seconds, he was hit with gunfire and fell to the ground,” – Musleh
Casualties and Medical Response
When news of the shooting broke, the tsunami of ensuing trauma became evident. Our colleague Dr. Ahmed Abu Sweid recounted the horrific injuries that each shooting victim suffered as a result of the crossfire.
“It’s difficult to describe what we saw with the young and the old; there were severe injuries to the head, severe injuries to the lung.” – Dr. Ahmed Abu Sweid
The Palestinian health ministry reported that more than 200 people have been medically treated for injuries, a large number in critical condition. Eyewitness narratives described absolute carnage, with many of hundreds of direct gunshot injuries to critical areas including the head and neck.
The sheer scale of the casualties sparked a powerful outcry, questioning the effectiveness and safety of this GHF funded militarized humanitarian initiative. Critics pointed out that humanitarian assistance would be impossible to deliver safely in such an environment.
“In front of me were four young men with direct injuries to the head… there was a person next to me who was injured by a bullet in his eye.” – Saqer
In the wake of the tragedy, multiple narratives began to take shape about what had happened that day. The IDF continues to maintain that every strike was in accordance with standard operating procedures. They claim that they were simply reacting to an imagined threat and it was all self-defense. As far as they were concerned, there were no problems with the distribution of all aid.
Conflicting Narratives and Accountability
In response, Brigadier General Effie Defrin faced strong condemnation for denying any targeting of civilians. She claimed that accounts of the IDF shooting at civilians are absolutely untrue and just an invention of Hamas propaganda.
“All aid was distributed today without incident. We have heard that these fake reports have been actively fomented by Hamas. They are untrue and fabricated.” – The IDF
Safety experts reviewed the available video of the incident. They emphasized that the frequency of shots fired and physical documentation retrieved from victim services showed an opposite reality. Weapons expert Stephen Smith Ball on the type of ammunition used during the shooting incident.
“This week, it was claimed that the IDF fired at civilians in an aid distribution area. This report is entirely false and echoes the propaganda of the terrorist organization Hamas… Regarding the incident on Sunday – it simply didn’t happen!” – Brig. Gen. Effie Defrin
GHF would like to suggest that all aid flowed freely and without hiccups. What happened on Sunday raised truly disturbing questions about accountability and transparency of GHF’s operations and of the Israeli military actions.
“This bullet is consistent with the NATO standard 7.62mm M80, which would be fired by IDF 7.62x51mm weapons, including the Negev 7.62 and FN MAG.” – Ball
Despite GHF’s assertion that all aid was distributed without incident, the events of Sunday raised significant concerns about accountability and transparency within both GHF’s operations and Israeli military actions.
