Israeli airstrikes on crowds of Palestinians seeking food near aid distribution sites. The attack was in southern Gaza on July 19, killing at least 32 people. The shootings occurred near hubs operated by the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), a group backed by the U.S. and Israel. Witnesses and local health officials said many civilians were shot while trying to reach the sites for humanitarian aid. In a separate attack, at least 18 Palestinians were killed in Israeli airstrikes in Gaza City.
New food distribution system
The GHF began operations in late May, replacing the traditional United Nations – UN-led food distribution system. The new system distributes millions of meals but concentrates large groups of starving civilians near fewer, heavily guarded sites. Palestinians accuse the Israeli military of endangering lives by firing on those seeking humanitarian aid, while Israeli forces say they only fire warning shots when threatened by crowds approaching too closely.
Since the start of the war, over 670 Palestinians have died near aid locations under the GHF system. Humanitarian organizations and the UN have condemned the arrangement, calling it a “weaponization of food” that places civilians in harm’s way. The UN Refugee Agency (UNRWA) called the GHF a “death trap” and criticized its role in worsening the humanitarian crisis.
Repeated attacks:
The repeated attacks near humanitarian aid sites have sparked international outrage and calls for urgent measures to protect civilians. Humanitarian Aid deliveries have been paused at several sites while discussions continue about improving safety for Palestinians traveling to these vulnerable locations. The violence near food distribution points has intensified the suffering in Gaza, where the blockade and ongoing conflict have caused widespread hunger and hardship for millions of people.
