Israel Kills Nearly 600 Palestinians at Aid Centres: A Deadly Struggle for Food in Gaza

In Gaza, a humanitarian crisis unfolds with devastating consequences. Over the past five weeks, more than 600 Palestinians have been killed while seeking food at aid distribution points backed by the United States and Israel. These centres, operated by the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), have been described by the United Nations as “death traps.” The harsh reality of this deadly struggle for survival is captured in the firsthand accounts of those risking their lives daily to feed their families.

Table of Contents

• The Dire Reality of Seeking Aid in Gaza
• The Gaza Humanitarian Foundation: A Controversial Operation
• The Militarization of Aid: A Dangerous Precedent
• A Broader Strategy of Displacement
• The GHF’s Defense and the Reality on the Ground
• Conclusion: The Human Cost of Militarized Aid
• Frequently Asked Questions

The Dire Reality of Seeking Aid in Gaza

For many Palestinians in Gaza, especially women, the fight for food is a matter of life and death. Watha Obeyed, a divorced mother caring for five family members including elderly parents, describes her relentless efforts to secure even scraps of food. Despite repeated failures due to attacks on aid queues, she continues to face the risk of death every day to feed her children.

“I have no food, I have no water, and no one takes care of me. I’m obligated to go and get humanitarian aid. But I failed every time because of the attacks on those waiting to get food.”

Survival here is a harrowing choice between “death by bullets or death by hunger.” The Israeli military routinely opens fire on people waiting at GHF distribution sites, turning what should be safe havens into deadly zones. Khalil, a father of two young daughters, recounts being shot while crawling to avoid bullets. His determination to provide for his children drives him to risk everything.

“Our food is mixed with our blood. I will welcome death if I can get some food for my family.”

The Gaza Humanitarian Foundation: A Controversial Operation

The GHF was established amidst a backdrop of controversy and skepticism. Antony Loewenstein, author of The Palestine Laboratory, explains that the foundation’s formation was influenced by political motives rather than purely humanitarian concerns.

Loewenstein highlights how the Trump administration and Israeli officials have long opposed the United Nations’ involvement in Palestine. The creation of the GHF reflects a strategic move to replace established aid systems with one controlled by Israeli and US interests, involving large financial investments and benefiting Israeli food companies.

“The point is not to provide aid in a humanitarian way. It’s to say to Palestinians, we will kill you if you take food from us.”

According to testimonies from Palestinians and Israeli soldiers themselves, the use of lethal force at aid points is deliberate, with commanders reportedly instructing troops to shoot. This stark reality underscores a troubling mindset within parts of the Israeli military, viewing Palestinians as undeserving of life.

The Militarization of Aid: A Dangerous Precedent

The militarization of aid in Gaza sets a dangerous precedent for global conflict zones. Loewenstein warns that blurring the line between humanitarian assistance and military operations endangers everyone involved—from civilians to aid workers.

He stresses that no Israeli soldier has faced prosecution for killing Palestinian civilians in Gaza, highlighting a lack of accountability that further entrenches this deadly system.

“If you militarize aid, you are by definition endangering the people who are trying to get the aid because there is no clear line between a soldier carrying a gun and an individual handing out aid.”

This model risks being exported to other conflict zones, with countries potentially adopting similar tactics, emboldened by the absence of international consequences.

A Broader Strategy of Displacement

The ongoing violence and blockade are part of a wider strategy to make life in Gaza unbearable, pushing Palestinians to leave. Prime Minister Netanyahu has reiterated plans to remove as many Palestinians as possible from the region, with talks reportedly underway with countries such as South Sudan, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and Libya to resettle displaced Palestinians.

Many within Israel support this plan, hoping to reclaim Israeli settlements evacuated in 2005. The humanitarian crisis at aid centres is thus not isolated but deeply intertwined with broader geopolitical objectives.

The GHF’s Defense and the Reality on the Ground

The Gaza Humanitarian Foundation claims to have delivered over 52 million meals in just five weeks and defends its operation by accusing other organizations of helplessly watching aid being looted. However, this narrative has been widely disputed.

Loewenstein points out that the allegation of Hamas stealing aid and selling it at inflated prices lacks credible evidence. Human rights organizations working on the ground report no mass-scale theft of aid by Hamas. Yet, Western media outlets often repeat this claim, inadvertently legitimizing the GHF’s controversial role.

Despite any aid delivered, the staggering death toll—over 600 people killed—speaks to a catastrophic failure of this system.

Conclusion: The Human Cost of Militarized Aid

The story of Palestinians risking their lives simply to eat is a stark reminder of the human cost of conflict and political machinations. The militarization of aid and deliberate targeting of civilians at humanitarian distribution points represent grave violations of international law and morality.

Without accountability and international intervention, this brutal cycle will continue, with innocent lives lost in the daily struggle for survival.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why are Palestinians being killed at aid distribution points in Gaza?

Palestinians seeking food at US and Israeli-backed aid centres, such as those run by the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, have been shot by Israeli military forces. This is reportedly a deliberate tactic to control and intimidate the population, resulting in over 600 deaths in five weeks.

What is the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF)?

The GHF is an aid organization established with backing from Israel and the US to distribute food in Gaza. Critics argue that it serves political and economic interests rather than purely humanitarian ones and that its operations have been linked to deadly attacks on Palestinians.

Is there evidence that Hamas steals aid in Gaza?

While Israeli officials accuse Hamas of stealing aid and selling it at inflated prices, human rights organizations working in Gaza report no evidence of such large-scale theft. This claim is widely disputed and viewed by many as a justification for the militarized control of aid.

What are the broader implications of militarizing aid in conflict zones?

Militarizing aid blurs the line between humanitarian assistance and military operations, endangering civilians and aid workers. It risks becoming a model adopted in other conflicts worldwide, increasing the danger to vulnerable populations.

What is the international response to these killings at aid centres?

Despite reports and testimonies, so far no Israeli soldiers have been prosecuted for killing Palestinian civilians at aid points. International bodies have yet to take decisive action, and there is growing concern about the lack of accountability.