In the past month, Gaza has seen a troubling rise in violence amid a new aid system backed by the US and Israel. Since its launch, more than 500 Palestinians reportedly lost their lives while trying to access aid, with around 4,000 others injured, according to the health ministry controlled by Hamas.
The aid distribution began on May 26, following Israel’s decision to ease an 11-week blockade. The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) set up four aid sites in areas they control, aiming to provide food and assistance to those in need. However, the situation on the ground has quickly turned chaotic. Videos from Gaza show daily scenes of panic, gunfire, and injuries as people rush to receive aid.
Eyewitnesses and medics have accused Israeli forces of firing on crowds near these aid sites. The IDF has responded by stating they only fired warning shots at individuals they deemed suspicious. They claim that Hamas is obstructing the aid process and putting civilians at risk.
The United Nations has criticized the new aid plan, arguing it militarizes humanitarian efforts and forces people to travel through dangerous areas to access food. Reports of deaths linked to the aid distribution have sparked international outrage, with the UN expressing concern that these killings could amount to war crimes.
On June 1 and 3, multiple incidents resulted in dozens of deaths as people sought aid. Just recently, on June 17, at least 21 bodies were reported near an aid truck in Khan Yunis, where witnesses claimed IDF drones and tanks targeted the crowd. The IDF acknowledged the incident and expressed regret for any unintended harm.
Despite these alarming events, the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), which oversees the aid distribution, has claimed success in its operations. They reported distributing 46 million meals to two million people over the past month. However, they also noted challenges, including looting and the need for more aid to reduce urgency among the population.
The situation remains dire as humanitarian organizations continue to face obstacles in delivering assistance. The ongoing violence raises serious questions about the safety of civilians trying to access much-needed aid in Gaza.