Gaza Humanitarian Foundation blames Hamas for death of 20 Palestinians

A humanitarian group says 20 people died on Wednesday, July 16, during a food distribution event in Gaza, the latest in a series of deadly incidents involving civilians seeking aid. According to the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), the victims were crushed in a chaotic scene that broke out as crowds gathered at a distribution point.

Dozens of Palestinians die during aid distribution

The report comes amid growing concerns over the delivery and management of humanitarian aid in Gaza, where thousands continue to face extreme shortages of food, water and medicine.

At a GHF site in Khan Younis, the group says 19 people were trampled and one was fatally stabbed during the aid distribution.

The organization stated that the incident led to fatal injuries and has placed responsibility on Hamas. It also marks the first time GHF has acknowledged Palestinian deaths during aid distribution, despite earlier accounts of such incidents.

“For the first time since operations began, GHF personnel identified multiple firearms in the crowd, one of which was confiscated,” GHF said.

Medical staff at a nearby hospital said they received 21 bodies. According to the hospital, the victims showed signs of being crushed and suffocated due to the use of tear gas.

“We mourn the lives lost today, and we remain committed to providing humanitarian aid as safely and responsibly as possible. GHF exists to serve the people of Gaza with compassion and integrity, and our mission has never been more urgent or more challenged,” GHF said in a post on X.

Hamas accused of causing unrest

Hamas has denied the accusations, calling them false and misleading. The group claims that GHF security personnel and Israeli forces used pepper spray on the crowd and opened fire at the distribution site.

Witnesses said thousands of people gathered at the distribution site on Wednesday morning, where contracted security guards kept the gates closed and blocked the entrance. A survivor told The Associated Press that the crowd was so dense that people were unable to move, even as guards shouted for them to step back.

“Everyone was on top of each other. We tried to pull out the people who were underneath, but we couldn’t. The Americans were throwing stun grenades at us,” Ahmed Abu Amra told the AP. 

According to Reuters, the GHF called the statements “blatantly false” and denied that any shots were fired or that tear gas was used. In a written statement to Reuters, the organization said pepper spray was used in a limited and controlled manner to prevent further harm.

GHF also suggested the incident was part of a broader effort by Hamas to discredit and disrupt the group’s work. It noted that the event took place during ceasefire negotiations, which GHF claims Hamas has tried to use as leverage to shut down its operations.

The organization, which is supported by the U.S. and Israel, said inaccurate information has recently spread on social media, drawing Palestinians to closed aid sites, creating confusion and fueling widespread disorder.

Growing death toll near GHF aid sites

The U.N. Human Rights Office said Tuesday, July 15, that deaths connected to GHF began on May 27, the day the group started distributing food in the war-torn region.

“As of 13 July, we have recorded 875 people killed in Gaza while trying to get food; 674 of them were killed in the vicinity of GHF sites,” said Thameen Al-Kheetan, OHCHR spokesperson.