Alarming Allegations Surface Over Gaza Aid Distribution Violence

A former contractor for the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation reported witnessing colleagues fire on unarmed Palestinians during aid distribution, raising serious concerns about the safety and conduct of these operations amid ongoing violence in Gaza. The organization denies the claims while humanitarian groups call for accountability.

A former security contractor for the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), established to manage aid distribution in the territory, has recounted harrowing incidents of violence against unarmed Palestinians seeking assistance. The contractor, who spoke anonymously to the BBC, alleged that aid workers opened fire multiple times on civilians displaying no threat, using weapons including machine guns.

In one instance, the contractor claims a guard fired on a group comprising women, children, and the elderly because they were perceived to be moving too slowly. In stark detail, he described an incident where another contractor fired 15 to 20 shots into a crowd, resulting in a Palestinian man collapsing and the shooter responding with laughter, dismissing the action as mere coincidence.

The GHF, which began distributing aid at the end of May following an extensive blockade of Gaza, has been under scrutiny for its operations. Critics argue the system forces countless civilians to traverse active conflict zones to access limited resources. According to local doctors and the United Nations, Israeli forces have reportedly killed over 400 Palestinians at these sites since the GHF's inception, with the state asserting that the initiative is designed to curtail aid funnels to Hamas.

The contractor described a culture of impunity within the GHF, revealing that staff received little guidance on engagement protocols, with one team leader allegedly instructing workers to shoot if they felt threatened. He condemned the excessive use of force, stating, "If a Palestinian is walking away from the site and not demonstrating any hostile intent, and we're shooting warning shots at them regardless, we are wrong, we are criminally negligent."

He also raised concerns about the physical harm inflicted upon Palestinians at GHF sites, citing multiple injuries from debris, stun grenades, and crowd surges shoving individuals into hazardous areas. He recounted a serious injury where a woman was struck in the head by a piece of a stun grenade, leaving her unconscious on the ground.

This revelation follows a wave of criticism, with over 170 organizations—including established NGOs like Oxfam and Save the Children—calling for the GHF’s termination amidst reports of armed forces routinely opening fire on individuals seeking aid. The GHF maintains that it has delivered over 52 million meals in response to dire needs and claims that outside organizations often cannot reach those in need due to looting.

In the wake of Hamas’s October 2023 attack on Israel, resulting in numerous civilian deaths and hostages taken, the Israeli military's intensified operations in Gaza have led to a staggering death toll, with reports of at least 57,130 fatalities since then. The situation remains critical as humanitarian entities seek accountability and changes to aid distribution methods in the territory.