At least 20 people were killed in a chaotic incident at a Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF) aid distribution site in southern Gaza, according to a statement released by the U.S.-backed group on Wednesday. GHF reported that 19 victims were "trampled" and one was stabbed during what it described as a "chaotic and dangerous surge," blaming the violence on "agitators in the crowd." However, the Hamas-run Ministry of Health in Gaza presented a different version, stating that 15 people "died of suffocation as a result of tear gas fired at the starving people and the subsequent stampede." The ministry put the death toll at 21. GHF denied the use of tear gas, insisting there was only a "limited use" of pepper spray.
Footage by journalist Abdallah Alattar showed what appeared to be lifeless bodies being unloaded outside Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis. A man carrying a limp child told the cameraman, "They died by suffocation. There was a stampede."
Marwan Al Hams, who oversees Gaza’s field hospitals, said many of the victims showed signs of bruising and "oxygen deprivation," injuries that typically result from overcrowding and a lack of air.
The U.N. reported that, as of July 13, at least 875 people had died in recent weeks while seeking food in Gaza. Of those, 674 reportedly died "in the vicinity of GHF sites," according to U.N. spokesperson Thameen Al-Kheetan.
Despite being supported by the U.S. and Israel, the GHF has faced criticism and isolation from the U.N. and other humanitarian organizations, which question the group’s transparency and neutrality. GHF has denied these accusations and defended its aid operations.
In its statement, the GHF alleged that "elements within the crowd, armed and affiliated with Hamas, deliberately fomented the unrest," adding that "GHF personnel identified multiple firearms in the crowd, one of which was confiscated." The group also claimed "an American worker was also threatened with a firearm by a member of the crowd during the incident."
"We mourn the lives lost today, and we remain committed to providing humanitarian aid as safely and responsibly as possible," GHF stated. "GHF exists to serve the people of Gaza with compassion and integrity, and our mission has never been more urgent or more challenged."
The Hamas-run Government Media Office rejected GHF’s accusations. Meanwhile, in an effort to improve communication at distribution sites, GHF announced a new flag system, red for closed and green for open, to help Palestinians identify the site status more clearly.
Israel's government has tasked GHF with ensuring that Hamas does not seize humanitarian aid, an accusation Hamas denies. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) confirmed that it "allows the American civilian organization (GHF) to distribute aid to Gaza residents independently" and supports its operations near distribution zones. Previous incidents at GHF sites involving Israeli forces "are under review by the competent authorities in the IDF."
Desperation among Palestinians continues to mount. "How can I go and buy 1 kg of flour for 70 shekels ($20) when I don't have that kind of money?" said Mohanned AI Tifi from Nasser Hospital. He was injured during the chaos and waited three hours for help. "Let me tell you if I could bring 5 kg of flour I will go home happy," he said.
