The article discusses serious concerns surrounding a new Israeli-US aid distribution operation in Gaza, spearheaded by the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF). A former security contractor at a GHF site revealed that security personnel have used excessive force against civilians, including firing machine guns at unarmed groups of women, children, and the elderly. The contractor described a culture of impunity and a lack of clear operational procedures, with supervisors reportedly advising to “shoot first and ask questions later.”
GHF has faced backlash since its inception, with claims that it forces people to walk through active combat zones to receive aid. Israeli forces have reportedly killed over 400 Palestinians since GHF began its operations, which aims to undermine Hamas’s control over aid distribution. Despite allegations of violence and mismanagement, GHF claims that no civilians have been harmed at its sites.
Footage shared via the BBC shows crowds waiting for aid amidst these claims. Many NGOs, including Oxfam and Save the Children, have called for GHF’s closure, citing daily violence against aid-seekers. Israel contends that the GHF system is necessary to bypass Hamas and deliver assistance directly, while the humanitarian toll remains significant, with casualty figures in Gaza reaching over 57,000 since the conflict escalated in October 2023.
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