Gaza City: At least 20 Palestinians lost their lives on Wednesday during a chaotic situation at an aid distribution site managed by the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF). The US-backed organization alleged that the disturbance was triggered by armed agitators, leading to a deadly crowd surge.
According to France24.com, witnesses reported that GHF security personnel resorted to using stun grenades and pepper spray to control the crowd attempting to enter the site before its official opening. This action allegedly incited panic in the tightly confined entrance area, resulting in a stampede. The GHF, with the backing of Israel, stated that 19 individuals were trampled, and one person was fatally stabbed in the melee at its center located between Khan Younis and Rafah in southern Gaza.
Eyewitness Mahmoud Fojo, who sustained injuries during the incident, described the chaos as people continued to press against each other, leading to those unable to maintain their footing being crushed. Fojo recounted the frantic scene of individuals attempting to climb over the netted fence, resulting in further injuries. Despite the chaos, he expressed gratitude for surviving the ordeal, having feared for his life during the incident.
The GHF and the Israeli army have not provided immediate comments on these eyewitness reports. The GHF utilizes private US security and logistics firms to facilitate aid delivery into Gaza, circumventing the UN-led system, which Israel claims has been exploited by Hamas militants to seize aid meant for civilians. These accusations have been denied by Hamas and the UN, which refutes claims of significant aid diversion by the militant group. The UN has criticized the GHF's operational model as unsafe and a violation of humanitarian neutrality, charges that the GHF has consistently denied.
Amjad Al-Shawa, director of the Palestinian NGOs Network, blamed the GHF for mismanagement, highlighting the dire conditions faced by those seeking aid. He criticized the lack of organization and discipline at GHF sites, which are frequented by thousands of desperate individuals amid severe shortages and exhaustion.
The ongoing conflict in Gaza, sparked by a Hamas attack on Israel in October 2023, has resulted in widespread displacement and acute humanitarian needs across the territory.
In a related development, the Israeli military announced the completion of a new road in southern Gaza, aiming to disrupt Hamas operations by isolating several towns east of Khan Younis. Palestinians view this road as an extension of Israeli control and a tactic to pressure Hamas amid ongoing ceasefire negotiations mediated by Egypt and Qatar with US support. Despite ongoing talks, no significant breakthroughs have been reported.
Hamas has rejected Israeli demands for control over portions of Gaza as part of any ceasefire agreement and insists on dismantling the GHF in favor of reinstating a UN-led aid delivery system. Senior Hamas official Basem Naim criticized the new road as evidence of Israel's intentions to maintain a presence in Gaza, casting doubt on Israel's commitment to peace talks.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has reiterated that the conflict will conclude only when Hamas is disarmed and removed from Gaza. Meanwhile, Gaza health authorities have reported that recent Israeli military strikes have resulted in at least 87 Palestinian deaths within the past 24 hours. Overall, more than 58,000 Palestinians have been killed in the conflict, while Israeli and foreign national casualties have reached nearly 1,650, inclusive of the 1,200 fatalities from the October 7, 2023, Hamas attack.