At least 22 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli gunfire near aid distribution sites operated by the US-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation.
On June 20, 2025, the Hamas-run Gaza Health Ministry reported that at least 22 Palestinians were killed by Israeli gunfire targeting crowds near aid distribution sites operated by the U.S.-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF) in southern and central Gaza. This incident, part of a pattern of violence since the GHF’s inception on May 26, 2025, underscores the dire humanitarian crisis in Gaza, where hunger and desperation have driven thousands to risk their lives for food. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) acknowledged examining the reports, while UN officials and local witnesses condemned Israel’s actions, accusing it of weaponizing aid. This comprehensive analysis examines the incident, the controversial GHF system, the broader context of Gaza’s crisis, and the international response, drawing on eyewitness accounts, official statements, and expert insights.
The June 20 Incident: Chaos at Al-Alam and Netzarim
The Gaza Health Ministry reported that 20 Palestinians were killed at the GHF aid site near the Al-Alam roundabout in Rafah, southern Gaza, and two others died near a GHF site in the Netzarim Corridor, a central Israeli military zone. Many of the casualties, primarily suffering gunshot wounds to the head and chest, were taken to Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis, where relatives mourned and burials followed swiftly per Islamic tradition.
Dr. Ahmed Alfara, a physician at Nasser Hospital, described the GHF system as a “100% failure,” stating, “No one can get that distribution, that aid, no one can get it.” He emphasized the need to restore aid distribution through UN agencies like UNRWA, which have decades of experience in Gaza. Eyewitness Ahmed Fayad, who sought food at Al-Alam, called the GHF operation a “trap,” warning others to avoid the sites after narrowly escaping gunfire. “We went there thinking we would get aid to feed our children, but it turned out to be a killing,” he told Reuters.
The IDF told the BBC it was investigating the reports but has previously contested casualty figures, claiming Hamas incites violence at aid sites. The IDF has admitted to firing warning shots in similar incidents, citing threats from “suspects” deviating from designated routes. However, witnesses and medics consistently report indiscriminate gunfire from Israeli forces, including tanks, quadcopters, and helicopters, targeting crowds.
The Gaza Humanitarian Foundation: A Controversial System
The GHF, launched on May 26, 2025, after Israel partially lifted a three-month blockade, is a U.S.- and Israeli-backed initiative to distribute aid through private contractors, bypassing UN agencies. Israel claims the system prevents Hamas from diverting aid, though UN officials and Hamas deny systematic theft. The GHF operates four sites—primarily in Rafah and the Netzarim Corridor—requiring Palestinians to travel long distances through Israeli-controlled zones, often on foot, to access food parcels.
The system has faced widespread criticism for its design and execution. Unlike the UN’s previous network of 400 distribution points, which delivered aid directly to communities based on population registries, the GHF operates on a first-come, first-serve basis, leading to chaotic scrambles. Palestinians gather overnight at sites like Al-Alam, risking gunfire to secure meager supplies. The UN, UNRWA, and NGOs have boycotted the GHF, citing violations of humanitarian principles—neutrality, impartiality, and independence—and warning that it endangers civilians by forcing them into war zones.
Chris Newton of the International Crisis Group called the GHF’s single-route system “neither safe nor effective,” suggesting it is deliberately structured to keep Palestinians desperate. Jens Laerke of the UN’s OCHA labeled it a “failure” that fails to deliver aid safely, branding the sites “human slaughterhouses.” Since May 26, the Gaza Health Ministry reports over 300 deaths and 2,600 injuries near GHF sites, with 223 killed in the two weeks prior to June 20.
The GHF’s leadership has been unstable, with former U.S. Marine Jake Wood resigning as CEO in May 2025, citing inability to adhere to humanitarian principles. Reverend Dr. Johnnie Moore, a Trump ally, replaced him, but the system’s flaws persist. The GHF denies violence at its sites, claiming Hamas fabricates casualty reports, and has paused operations multiple times to address safety concerns, though deadly incidents continue.
Eyewitness Accounts and Medical Reports
Witnesses describe harrowing scenes at Al-Alam, where thousands gather before dawn, only to face gunfire as they approach. On June 20, medics reported most victims had gunshot wounds to vital areas, indicating precise targeting rather than warning shots. Al Jazeera’s Hind Khoudary, reporting from Deir el-Balah, noted, “The Israeli forces just opened fire randomly, shooting Palestinians… using quadcopters and live ammunition.”
At Nasser Hospital, Dr. Victoria Rose, a British surgeon, reported treating patients with upper-body gunshot wounds, a departure from typical blast injuries from airstrikes. The hospital, strained by a lack of supplies since March 2025, relies on staff blood donations due to depleted blood banks. Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) confirmed a colleague’s brother was killed seeking aid, highlighting the personal toll on medical workers.
Israel’s Blockade and Gaza’s Humanitarian Crisis
Israel’s blockade, intensified from March to May 2025, pushed Gaza’s 2.3 million population to the brink of famine, with the UN warning of catastrophic hunger. The partial easing in May allowed GHF operations, but aid remains inadequate. The World Food Programme reported chaotic scenes of civilians rushing aid trucks, driven by desperation. Over 90% of Gaza’s population is displaced, and local food production is nearly nonexistent due to the ongoing military campaign.
The war, now in its 20th month since Hamas’s October 7, 2023, attack that killed 1,200 Israelis and took 251 hostages, has claimed over 55,297 Palestinian lives, per the Gaza Health Ministry, with women and children comprising most casualties. Israel reports killing 20,000 militants, though without evidence. Hamas holds 53 hostages, fewer than half alive, with ceasefire talks stalled over demands for a permanent truce and Israeli withdrawal.
International Condemnation and Calls for Investigation
UN Human Rights Chief Volker Türk, addressing the UN Human Rights Council on June 20, 2025, accused Israel of “weaponising food” and inflicting “unconscionable suffering” on Palestinians. He reiterated demands for an independent investigation into the attacks near GHF sites, a call echoed by UN Secretary-General António Guterres and the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC). The UN’s human rights office suggested that impeding food access may constitute a war crime.
The ICRC reported a “mass casualty influx” at its Rafah hospital, with 21 dead on arrival during a prior incident, all with gunshot wounds. UNRWA’s Philippe Lazzarini called the GHF system a “death trap,” urging a return to UN-led distribution. MSF demanded EU pressure on Israel to allow unfettered aid access, labeling the blockade “collective punishment.”
Israel’s Foreign Ministry, however, described the GHF as a “dramatic success,” despite international opprobrium. Former Prime Minister Naftali Bennett claimed Hamas seeks to sabotage the system to maintain control over food distribution. The IDF’s denials of firing on civilians often contradict witness accounts, and its restriction on international media access to Gaza complicates independent verification.
Additional Violence and Regional Context
The June 20 incident followed days of escalating violence. On June 15, 59 Palestinians were killed, 17 near GHF sites, and on June 16, 34 died in similar circumstances. Israeli airstrikes across Gaza, targeting homes and displacement camps, killed dozens more, including children, in areas like Jabalia, Nuseirat, and Khan Younis.
Israel’s admission of arming anti-Hamas clans in Gaza has added complexity, with these groups accused of looting aid, further endangering civilians. Posts on X reflect global outrage, with users like @YousraElbagir calling the incidents “aid massacres” and noting their near-daily occurrence.
The broader regional context, including Israel’s simultaneous conflict with Iran, has diverted attention from Gaza, as noted by X users, allowing violence at aid sites to intensify. Israel’s military campaign, justified as a response to Hamas, continues unabated, with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowing escalation unless Hamas releases hostages and disarms.
Critical Analysis: A Deliberate Strategy?
The GHF’s design—limited sites, militarized zones, and lack of coordination—raises questions about its intent. Critics like Newton argue it is structured to fail, keeping Palestinians in a state of desperation while serving Israel’s strategic goal of weakening Hamas by controlling aid. The repeated shootings, despite IDF inquiries, suggest either systemic failures or deliberate targeting to deter crowds, aligning with accusations of weaponizing food.
The IDF’s claim that Hamas incites violence lacks substantiation, as UN agencies report no significant aid diversion. The GHF’s reliance on U.S. contractors and Israeli oversight undermines its neutrality, alienating experienced aid groups. The system’s collapse, marked by resignations and closures, highlights its unsustainability, yet Israel’s refusal to reinstate UN-led distribution prolongs the crisis.
Implications and Path Forward
The violence at GHF sites deepens Gaza’s humanitarian catastrophe, with no safe areas for civilians and famine looming. The international community’s calls for investigation and ceasefire face resistance from Israel, backed by U.S. support for the GHF. Restoring UNRWA and NGO-led aid distribution, coupled with a permanent ceasefire, is critical to avert further deaths, but political will remains elusive.
For Palestinians, the choice is stark: risk starvation or face gunfire for food. The GHF’s failure and Israel’s blockade have turned aid access into a deadly gamble, with civilians bearing the brunt. As global attention shifts to other conflicts, Gaza’s plight risks fading, underscoring the urgency of addressing this man-made crisis.
Disclaimer: This analysis is based on publicly available information and is intended for informational purposes only. It reflects reported events and perspectives but does not endorse any narrative or predict outcomes with certainty.
Source: BBC, Reuters, Al Jazeera, Gaza Health Ministry, UN statements, June 2025.
