Crush at Gaza Aid Site Kills at Least 20, GHF Blames Armed Agitators

 

At least 20 Palestinians were killed on July 16 at an aid distribution point in Khan Younis, southern Gaza. The site was operated by the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), a US-backed group supported by Israel. According to GHF, 19 people were trampled to death while one person was fatally stabbed during the chaos. The organization blamed the deadly incident on armed agitators within the crowd, who they claim were affiliated with Hamas and deliberately incited unrest. There has been no official comment from Hamas so far.

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Palestinian health officials gave a slightly different account, stating that 21 people had died due to suffocation caused by overcrowding and lack of control. A medic described the scene as packed with exhausted people crammed into a narrow space, desperately trying to access limited supplies. This incident has drawn further attention to the rising number of casualties around aid sites. The UN reported that at least 875 people have died near food convoys and distribution points over the past six weeks. Most of these deaths reportedly occurred near GHF locations and were caused by gunfire.

The GHF’s model bypasses the UN aid system and uses private US contractors, which critics argue undermines humanitarian neutrality and contributes to chaos. The UN has previously labeled the GHF’s approach unsafe and in violation of aid delivery principles. GHF has denied any wrongdoing.

Palestinian civil society groups condemned the GHF for what they called gross mismanagement. Amjad Al Shawa of the Palestinian NGOs Network said the aid group failed to organize safe distribution, leading to desperation and deadly disorder among civilians. Thousands of hungry people are often squeezed into small areas, with no system to manage the crowds or ensure safety. Hamas has demanded that the GHF be dismantled and the UN-led system restored as part of ongoing ceasefire negotiations.

On the same day as the aid site tragedy, the Israeli military announced it had completed construction of a new road in southern Gaza. This road divides several towns east of Khan Younis from the rest of the territory. While Israel says the road is intended to hinder Hamas activity, Palestinian officials argue it extends Israeli control and signals long-term plans to remain inside Gaza. Senior Hamas figure Basem Naim stated that Israel’s actions contradict their claims at the negotiation table and demonstrate a lack of seriousness in ceasefire talks.

Ceasefire discussions have been ongoing since July 6, mediated by Egypt, Qatar, and the United States. However, little progress has been made on key issues. Hamas says Israel wants to retain control over a large portion of Gaza, which the group firmly opposes. Meanwhile, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has declared that the war will not end until Hamas is fully disarmed and removed from power.

Since the war began in October 2023 following a deadly Hamas attack, over 58,000 Palestinians have been killed according to Gaza health authorities. Israeli strikes continue across the Strip, with at least 17 more people reported dead on July 16. The conflict has displaced nearly all Gazans and deepened the humanitarian crisis.

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Palestinian civil society groups condemned the GHF for what they called gross mismanagement. Amjad Al Shawa of the Palestinian NGOs Network said the aid group failed to organize safe distribution, leading to desperation and deadly disorder among civilians. Thousands of hungry people are often squeezed into small areas, with no system to manage the crowds or ensure safety. Hamas has demanded that the GHF be dismantled and the UN-led system restored as part of ongoing ceasefire negotiations.

On the same day as the aid site tragedy, the Israeli military announced it had completed construction of a new road in southern Gaza. This road divides several towns east of Khan Younis from the rest of the territory. While Israel says the road is intended to hinder Hamas activity, Palestinian officials argue it extends Israeli control and signals long-term plans to remain inside Gaza. Senior Hamas figure Basem Naim stated that Israel’s actions contradict their claims at the negotiation table and demonstrate a lack of seriousness in ceasefire talks.

Ceasefire discussions have been ongoing since July 6, mediated by Egypt, Qatar, and the United States. However, little progress has been made on key issues. Hamas says Israel wants to retain control over a large portion of Gaza, which the group firmly opposes. Meanwhile, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has declared that the war will not end until Hamas is fully disarmed and removed from power.

Since the war began in October 2023 following a deadly Hamas attack, over 58,000 Palestinians have been killed according to Gaza health authorities. Israeli strikes continue across the Strip, with at least 17 more people reported dead on July 16. The conflict has displaced nearly all Gazans and deepened the humanitarian crisis.

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