170 aid groups want US-based Gaza food program closed over ‘routine’ killings

Around 170 charities and humanitarian aid groups want the U.S. and Israel-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF) out of the enclave. In a joint statement published Monday, June 30, they accuse Israeli and other armed forces of “routinely” opening fire on Gazans seeking aid. 

What are the groups involved?

The call came from some of the world’s largest humanitarian organizations, including Oxfam, Amnesty International and Save the Children. They claim more than 500 Palestinians have been killed and nearly 4,000 hurt in less than four weeks while trying to access or distribute food in Gaza.

The organizations also argue the GHF’s lack of a plan and inadequate food supply is causing 2 million hungry people to traverse through dangerous areas, including active combat zones, to reach sites with a heavy military presence, where they are forced to “fight” for sparse food supplies in “chaotic enclosures.”

“These areas have become sites of repeated massacres in blatant disregard for international humanitarian law,” the joint statement read.

‘Death traps’

The Hamas-controlled Gaza Health Ministry called GHF distribution centers “death traps” in a statement on Tuesday, July 1. The organization reported 583 people had died since GHF first began operations in Gaza in May after a three-month blockade by Israel on humanitarian aid.

There were hundreds of aid distribution sites run by various organizations before the blockade, but now they have been replaced with just four distribution centers run by the GHF, according to the coalition of organizations.

Following GHF’s takeover of aid operations, there have been almost daily reports of Israeli forces firing at those seeking aid, which the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) refutes. The United Nations has also criticized GHF’s distribution plan, with Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Friday arguing it is “inherently unsafe.”

GHF denies accusations

GHF denied Guterres’ accusation and told NBC News on Tuesday, July 1, it is “providing millions of meals each day directly to the Palestinian people who deserve and need aid.”

“Instead of bickering and throwing insults from the sidelines, we would welcome other humanitarian groups to join us and feed the people in Gaza,” the group added.

As of Tuesday, GHF said it has delivered more than 54 million meals, including 2 million meals on Tuesday alone.

Israel said it chose GHF because it can protect against aid distribution being diverted by Hamas, but announced on Monday that it would “examine” reports of people being injured at distribution centers and install fencing and signage to improve the environment.

The Israel Foreign Ministry on Tuesday accused Hamas militants of shooting at those seeking aid at humanitarian sites and wrongly blaming the IDF in an attempt to “disrupt aid efforts and keep the people of Gaza away from much needed aid.”

However, the Israeli military has acknowledged being involved in a number of incidents at food distribution sites. They have said troops fired warning shots or fired at people who threatened troops. GHF and the IDF said these attacks occurred outside of humanitarian sites.

At least 74 killed on Monday

Israeli forces continue operations in Gaza, including airstrikes and gunfire on Monday that killed dozens of people, according to officials. 

One airstrike at a seaside cafe in Gaza City killed at least 41 people, according to hospital officials. The establishment was a place where people, including journalists, often went to charge phones or get a secure internet connection. The cafe had been one of the few places that remained open since the start of the war in October 2023. 

Meanwhile, 11 people were killed by Israeli forces as they tried to get food in southern Gaza, according to the Hamas-controlled Gaza Health Ministry. Israel said it’s investigating the alleged attacks.