Gaza Aid site chaos: Crowd surge kills 20 while GHF, UN clash over mounting deaths & security breakdown; details here
GHF claims the panic was triggered by "agitators" in the crowd who it alleges were affiliated with Hamas. The group called the incident 'tragic' and described the surge as chaotic and dangerous. Independent verification of this report was not immediately available.
Conflicting hospital report adds to the uncertainty
Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis reported a different account. It confirmed receiving the bodies of 10 individuals who, according to them, died due to "suffocation" after the aid site was abruptly closed by private US security contractors working with GHF. The variation in cause of death and casualty numbers highlights the ongoing confusion and tension surrounding aid distribution in Gaza.
Pattern of violence at aid centers grows
Since GHF began its operations in late May, reports of deaths near its distribution sites have become a near-daily occurrence. Witness accounts suggest that many Palestinians seeking food have been shot by Israeli forces.
On Tuesday, the UN human rights office stated that 674 people have been killed near the GHF's four aid sites in southern and central Gaza in just six weeks. Additionally, 201 people have reportedly been killed along routes used by UN and other aid convoys. The UN attributes these figures to its field documentation, while GHF disputes their accuracy.
Before the latest incident, GHF had denied any deaths near its facilities and accused the UN of sharing what it called 'false and misleading' numbers sourced from the Hamas-run Gaza health ministry.
Security measures and ethical concerns at the core
GHF currently operates in Israeli military-controlled zones and uses private security firms for protection and distribution management. This setup has led to growing criticism. The United Nations has refused to work with GHF, calling its operations unethical due to both its location and operational style.
Meanwhile, the Israeli military acknowledged last week that civilians had been harmed near aid areas. It added that efforts are being made to reduce potential 'friction' between troops and civilians during aid activities.
With rising deaths and conflicting reports, questions about aid safety, crowd control, and transparency remain urgent and unresolved in Gaza.
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