IDF opens inquiry into possible war crimes after deaths near Gaza aid sites.
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In Gaza, the pursuit of basic necessities like food has turned into a perilous journey, where desperation meets danger head-on. Recent reports of Palestinian civilians being shot while trying to access aid at distribution sites have cast a grim spotlight on the region’s humanitarian crisis. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) has launched an investigation into allegations of possible war crimes, as evidence mounts that troops may have fired on unarmed people gathering near food distribution points. With famine looming after months of blockade and conflict, these incidents highlight a broader tragedy: a system where aid delivery has become a deadly gauntlet for those already pushed to the edge. This blog explores the heart-wrenching reality of Gaza’s hunger crisis, the violence surrounding aid efforts, and the urgent questions of accountability that demand answers.
Hunger’s Heavy Toll in Gaza
Gaza’s 2.3 million people are grappling with a humanitarian disaster rooted in a prolonged conflict and a stringent blockade imposed by Israel in March and April 2025. The blockade, which severely restricted food, fuel, and medical supplies, left the region teetering on the edge of famine. Even after partial easing in May, aid delivery remains a logistical nightmare, hampered by rubble-strewn roads, military checkpoints, and widespread looting by desperate crowds and armed groups. The United Nations, once the backbone of aid distribution, has struggled to operate, leaving a controversial new system run by the U.S.- and Israel-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF) to fill the gap. These GHF sites, often located in militarized zones, have become flashpoints where hunger and violence collide.
On June 17, 2025, thousands of Palestinians gathered at a GHF aid hub along Gaza’s Coastal Road, hoping to secure scarce food packages. The scene was chaotic, with crowds rushing toward trucks in a frantic bid to beat the shortages. For many, the journey to these sites involves crossing dangerous terrain under the shadow of Israeli military presence, where the risk of gunfire or shelling looms large. The promise of food, meant to be a lifeline, has instead become a magnet for tragedy.
A Wave of Violence at Aid Sites
The past month has seen a horrifying spike in deaths near aid distribution points. Medical records from NGOs and Gaza’s health ministry report hundreds of casualties, many from gunfire, as civilians attempt to reach food supplies. A devastating incident on June 26 in Deir al-Balah left 18 people dead, including a child, when an Israeli strike hit a market where Palestinian police were distributing flour. Witnesses described a scene of carnage, with bodies torn apart and survivors, including women and children, rushed to overwhelmed hospitals like al-Aqsa Martyrs. “The situation was catastrophic,” said paramedic Razeq Abu Mandil, who shuttled the wounded in his ambulance multiple times.
Other incidents paint a similar picture. On June 17, 59 Palestinians were killed and over 200 injured near a stalled aid truck in Khan Younis, with witnesses attributing the violence to Israeli tank shells and drones. The Hamas-run health ministry reports over 400 deaths since late May linked to aid-seeking efforts, with daily shootings becoming a grim reality. Eyewitnesses describe soldiers firing to disperse crowds, sometimes in darkness, when civilians gather near military positions waiting for aid sites to open. “I saw people lying on the ground—torn bodies, blood filling the air,” recounted Ahmed Abu Zubeida, a survivor wounded by shrapnel in Deir al-Balah.
Allegations of War Crimes and IDF’s Response
The rising death toll has fueled accusations of war crimes against the IDF. A June 27 report in the Israeli newspaper Haaretz cited anonymous soldiers who admitted to being ordered to fire on crowds near aid sites to keep them away from military positions, even when no clear threat was present. These soldiers expressed unease about using lethal force against desperate civilians, prompting the IDF to launch an investigation into possible breaches of international law. The military’s special unit is now reviewing incidents over the past month, but critics argue that past investigations have rarely led to accountability, with few resulting in sanctions.
The IDF has firmly denied ordering deliberate attacks on civilians, stating, “IDF directives prohibit deliberate attacks on civilians,” and emphasizing its commitment to minimizing harm. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Israel Katz have dismissed the allegations as “malicious falsehoods” aimed at tarnishing the IDF’s reputation as “the most moral military in the world.” However, international voices, including UN Secretary-General António Guterres, have called for independent investigations, labeling the shootings “unconscionable” and a potential violation of humanitarian law. “People are being killed simply trying to feed their families,” Guterres said, underscoring the urgency of addressing the crisis.
The Controversial Gaza Humanitarian Foundation
At the heart of the controversy is the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, a private entity backed by Israel and the U.S. that has taken over much of Gaza’s aid distribution since May 26. Israel claims the GHF is necessary to prevent Hamas from diverting aid, though no public evidence supports these allegations. The UN and major aid groups, including UNRWA, have boycotted the GHF, arguing it violates humanitarian principles by operating in Israeli-controlled zones and relying on armed American contractors. The system’s design forces civilians to travel long distances through militarized areas, often at night, to reach unpredictable aid hubs. “It’s a death trap,” said Philippe Lazzarini, head of UNRWA, describing the chaos and danger at GHF sites.
The GHF’s operations have been plagued by issues. Videos show desperate crowds rushing for food with little oversight, and sites often close abruptly due to violence or shortages. The foundation claims to have distributed millions of meals, but critics, including UN human rights chief Volker Türk, call it “dehumanizing” and inadequate for Gaza’s needs. Legal experts, such as those from the Center for Constitutional Rights, have warned that the GHF’s militarized approach could make it complicit in war crimes, accusing it of enabling Israel’s control over aid as a tool of displacement.
Stories of Survival and Loss
Behind the statistics are stories of unimaginable hardship. Umm Raed al-Nuaizi, a widow from Gaza City, lost her son to a bullet wound while he sought flour for their family. “Why are our children’s lives so cheap?” she asked, her voice heavy with grief. At hospitals like Nasser in Khan Younis, medics work tirelessly under dire conditions, treating gunshot wounds and shrapnel injuries as supplies dwindle. “We’re overwhelmed,” said Dr. Ahmed Abu Sweid, an Australian physician, describing patients with mangled limbs and thoracic injuries.
Yet, amidst the chaos, resilience shines through. Palestinian paramedics risk their lives to evacuate the wounded, often using makeshift transport like donkey carts when ambulances can’t reach militarized zones. Civilians, driven by the need to feed their families, continue to brave the dangers, knowing each trip could be their last. These acts of courage underscore the human spirit’s refusal to surrender, even in the face of relentless adversity.
A Call for Justice and Reform
The international community has responded with growing alarm. UN officials, including Francesca Albanese, UN Special Rapporteur on the Occupied Palestinian Territories, have branded the GHF system “humanitarian camouflage” and a tactic of control. The UN and aid groups are demanding unimpeded access for traditional aid networks and an end to the blockade, which they call collective punishment. With only 70 aid trucks entering Gaza daily—far below what’s needed to avert famine—the crisis shows no signs of abating.
As the IDF’s investigation unfolds, the world waits for answers. Will it lead to accountability, or fade into obscurity like so many before it? For Gaza’s people, the stakes are immediate: every journey to an aid site is a gamble with death. The crisis demands not just food but a fundamental rethinking of how aid is delivered—prioritizing safety, neutrality, and the dignity of those fighting to survive.
Disclaimer: This blog is based on publicly reported information and accounts from Gaza as of June 2025.
Source: Compiled from news reports, eyewitness testimonies, and statements from international organizations.
