At least 20 people tragically lost their lives in a crush during aid distribution efforts conducted by the US- and Israeli-supported Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF) in Khan Younis. The GHF reported that the victims mainly suffered trampling, with one person being stabbed amid a "dangerous surge". In contrast, Hamas' Government Media Office refuted these claims, asserting that the GHF was attempting to shift blame for the incident away from itself.
Medical staff at Nasser Hospital confirmed that they had received 21 bodies, many having suffocated or been crushed on the scene. A disturbing video shared online shows a witness describing how people were trapped behind barriers while waiting for food. Eyewitness accounts detail how panic ensued when security personnel reportedly began to close access points, leading to mayhem.
Mahmoud Fojo, one of the injured, described a chaotic scene where people fell beneath the throng and were trampled by others trying to escape. Another local claimed that security personnel fired tear gas and pepper bombs to control the crowd, a charge the GHF vehemently denied. They clarified that minimal pepper spray was used solely for crowd control purposes to prevent further casualties.
During a press briefing, GHF spokesperson Chapin Fay accused armed Hamas members of infiltrating the crowd and instigating violence that contributed to the tragedy. The group has faced criticism for its operational methods, with the UN withholding cooperation due to ethical concerns regarding aid distribution.
The rising death toll in Gaza, particularly during aid seeking, has become alarmingly common, with reports indicating that hundreds of people have died throughout similar incidents since the GHF initiated its operations in May. As humanitarian needs escalate, calls continue for Israel to enhance access to vital assistance for the beleaguered Palestinian population.
