Israeli Soldiers Kill Over 400 People at Gaza Food Aid Sites

The Israeli military has killed at least 410 people trying to get food at Israeli-run aid sites in Gaza in the past month. This violates international standards on aid distribution, according to the United Nations. Palestinian health authorities reported that Israel killed 44 people waiting for aid in separate incidents in southern and central Gaza just on Tuesday this week. Israeli soldiers have reportedly killed aid-seekers with bullets, tank shells, and drone-mounted weapons.

Israeli officers and soldiers said they were ordered to deliberately fire at unarmed civilians waiting for humanitarian aid in an investigation published by the Israeli newspaper Haaretz. The military prosecution has called for a review into possible war crimes. The Israeli military has said reports about casualties at aid sites have prompted thorough examinations and that instructions were issued to forces in the field following lessons learned.

The aid distribution sites are run by the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, a nonprofit formed earlier this year for the purpose of distributing aid in collaboration with the Israeli government and American private military and security companies. An open letter published by human rights and legal advocacy groups condemned the organization, stating that the privatized, militarized aid distribution system undermines core humanitarian principles.

The Gaza Humanitarian Foundation has faced controversy, with the former head quitting due to concerns about adhering to humanitarian principles. The American government authorized a $30 million grant for the foundation. Finding food has become a horrific risk for many in Gaza, with incidents of aid-seekers being killed while trying to get food.

Environmental researcher Yaakov Garb has analyzed the design and expansion of aid facilities in Gaza. He found that most of Gaza's population cannot access these centers safely. Garb's report highlights concerns about the lack of safety measures at the aid sites and their proximity to Israeli military positions.

Humanitarian aid experts criticize the current aid distribution model and express concerns about the militarization of aid distribution. The Israeli military claims the level of control is necessary to prevent aid diversion to Hamas.

According to the source: The Intercept.