In a deeply troubling incident, the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), which is supported by the United States and Israel for aid distribution purposes, has alleged that Hamas was responsible for the deaths of five Palestinian staff members. The incident occurred when a bus transporting over twenty workers to a distribution center in southern Gaza was attacked on Wednesday night. According to the GHF, this offensive came after days of menacing threats from Hamas against their operations.
While this accusation is serious, it is noteworthy that the BBC has not been able to independently verify the facts surrounding the incident, and Hamas reportedly has made no comment on the claim. It previously denied any accusations of threatening the foundation’s employees, thereby casting doubt on the GHF’s statements.
The GHF commenced its operations on May 26, with the objective of bypassing traditional United Nations (UN) routes and other established organizations in aid distribution within Gaza. This shift has not been without serious complications; since the operation began, controversies and violent outbreaks have plagued the setting, with numerous deadly incidents reported near the GHF’s distribution hubs almost daily.
By refusing to collaborate with this newly established aid system, the UN and various humanitarian organizations have raised critical concerns over several fundamental principles of humanitarian action, including neutrality, impartiality, and independence. These principles have come into focus amid reports of escalating violence in the region.
On the same day as the bus attack, local medical professionals indicated that at least dozens of Palestinians were killed or injured due to Israeli military actions as they attempted to procure food at the distribution centers managed by the GHF. In a pointed acknowledgment of the risks faced by their employees, the GHF indicated a fear that some of their workers had possibly been taken hostage in this chaotic atmosphere.
The GHF issued a definitive statement condemning the attacks as “heinous” and “deliberate,” calling for robust denouncement against such acts of violence. In reaction to these allegations, the Israeli military has not directly validated GHF’s claims but referred to portions of their statement while asserting that “Hamas will stop at nothing to maintain control and prevent the effective delivery of aid.”
The ongoing struggle between the GHF and Hamas has intensified, with the GHF asserting that Hamas’ threats have rendered it impossible for them to conduct operations in Gaza. Conversely, Hamas has rejected these claims, stating that the GHF’s efforts have “utterly failed on all levels.” Criticism has also arisen regarding the GHF’s operational effectiveness, with many decrying it as insufficient as it provides a limited amount of supplies while subjecting people to travel to overcrowded and unsafe distribution points.
Indeed, violence has sporadically unfolded at the four distribution centers set up by the GHF, resulting in numerous casualties from both Israeli military actions and armed encounters involving Palestinian factions. The Hamas-run health ministry in Gaza reported that over 200 individuals have lost their lives, with nearly 2,000 others sustaining injuries while trying to gain access to desperately needed aid.
On Wednesday, two hospitals in Gaza City reported that at least 25 individuals were killed near a GHF convoy in the Netzarim corridor. The GHF previously claimed to have distributed 43,000 food parcels across Gaza “without incident,” raising questions about the operational success amid widespread chaos.
Furthermore, the ongoing dispute between the United States, Israel, and Hamas regarding aid distribution continues as both support the GHF’s approach, which they argue will hinder aid from being appropriated by Hamas. Nevertheless, the UN has asserted that this is not a prevalent problem, while Hamas denies such practices altogether. This continuing conflict raises concerns about the fate of humanitarian efforts in Gaza amidst such a complex and volatile setting.