Israeli troops are accused of deliberately firing on unarmed Palestinians seeking humanitarian aid in Gaza, triggering international condemnation and calls for independent investigation.
At a Glance
- Israeli newspaper Haaretz reports troops were ordered to fire on aid seekers near GHF distribution sites.
- Gaza’s health ministry says at least two bodies were recently recovered at Netzarim Corridor.
- More than 400 Palestinians have been killed since 27 May while attempting to collect aid.
- UN Secretary-General has called for an independent investigation into the incidents.
Eyewitness Account and Latest Developments
According to a report by Haaretz, Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) personnel near aid distribution sites in Gaza were allegedly instructed to fire live rounds at civilians approaching food trucks operated by the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF). These incidents, tied to an internal operation code-named “Salted Fish,” suggest intentional targeting of desperate civilians during aid runs.
On June 28, medical personnel at Ahli Hospital confirmed two new deaths at the Netzarim Corridor—an area where many Palestinians have been shot while seeking food. Eyewitnesses described gunfire erupting without warning as crowds gathered near supply routes. The IDF has neither confirmed nor denied the specific operational orders.
Watch a report: Live Outrage Over Israeli Aid-Seekers Shooting.
Humanitarian Toll and Global Condemnation
Since May 27, Gaza’s health authorities say over 400 civilians have been killed trying to access humanitarian assistance. These deaths often involve tanks, snipers, and aerial drones targeting queues at distribution centers. Some international observers now refer to the incidents as the “Rafah aid distribution killings.”
UN Secretary-General António Guterres has called for a fully independent investigation into what may constitute war crimes. UNRWA Commissioner-General Philippe Lazzarini condemned the ongoing violence, arguing that unregulated private aid logistics are exacerbating suffering rather than easing it.
Human rights groups, including Médecins Sans Frontières, have labeled the shootings a “massacre.” Meanwhile, the Center for Constitutional Rights has warned that entities such as GHF—widely seen as U.S.-aligned—could face international legal action for enabling conditions that result in the criminalization of aid access.
Why It Matters Globally
Targeting civilians at aid stations signals a dangerous shift in conflict doctrine. Under international humanitarian law, relief distribution sites are supposed to be protected zones. But the deliberate militarization of these locations may suggest a strategy of attrition through starvation and fear.
Calls are growing for action by bodies like the International Criminal Court, which is already assessing war crime allegations tied to the broader Gaza conflict. As scrutiny of Israeli conduct intensifies, so does debate over the role of U.S. support in enabling these patterns.
The humanitarian collapse in Gaza is no longer just a regional issue—it is a global moral and legal reckoning. When reaching for food becomes a death sentence, the very foundation of international order is called into question.
