Sources reported at least 20 Palestinians were killed in a stampede at an aid distribution site in Gaza on 16 July 2025. This is the latest incident from a series of events occurring near humanitarian aid facilities run by the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (G.H.F.), a U.S.-based organization operating with Israeli support. According to U.N. reports, nearly 900 Palestinians have died while collecting aid since G.H.F. began operating in May.
According to TIME, the G.H.F. claimed the stampede, which took place at its distribution site in Khan Younis, occurred as a result of agitators in the crowd. “We have credible reason to believe that elements within the crowd—armed and affiliated with Hamas—deliberately fomented the unrest,” G.H.F. said. However, Gaza’s Ministry of Health disputed G.H.F.’s claim that individuals affiliated with Hamas incited the stampede, calling the statement “false and misleading.” The ministry also accused G.H.F. of operating outside of proper regulations, saying it “does not adhere to any professional or ethical standards of humanitarian work.” Additionally, the Health Ministry claimed that G.H.F. staff, which consists of armed private security personnel and members of the Israel Defense Forces directly fired upon those collecting aid.
Witnesses at the humanitarian site said guards used pepper spray after locking the gates, effectively trapping people between the gates and perimeter fence. Other reports stated that access to the aid center was delayed or blocked, igniting panic among people gathered for collection. In a response to the New York Times, G.H.F. claims it used a “limited” amount of pepper spray but “only to safeguard additional loss of life.” Based on witness testimonies and the Health Ministry’s reports, it appears that G.H.F. staff significantly contributed to the unrest and violence which resulted in this deadly incident. This is particularly troubling considering the G.H.F.’s stated purpose is to supply and distribute humanitarian aid to those in need. However, despite the G.H.F.’s intended purpose, the U.N. has warned that aid supplied through the organization represents a mere fraction of the humanitarian support needed to combat the starvation crisis experienced by Gaza’s population of two million.
This humanitarian crisis is the result of Israel’s persistent blockades, which are preventing food, medicine, and other aid supplies from entering Gaza’s territory. As of late May, G.H.F. was designated the lead aid distributor in Gaza amid international pressure over Israel’s months-long blockade which had resulted in a widespread famine across the area. Since beginning their operations, G.H.F.’s distribution sites have been the sources of hundreds of Palestinian deaths. Whether these sites are intentionally designed to create a large mass of people and incite chaos or are just poorly organized, it is evident that the G.H.F’s operations are causing more harm than the support they are meant to distribute.
It seems contradictory that Israel, the force causing the humanitarian crisis via blockades is simultaneously mediating aid distribution to Palestinians from the U.S.-backed organization. In order to fight the famine and deliver genuine humanitarian support, Israel needs to permanently end its blockades. The G.H.F. represents an inadequate and superficial solution to a deeper systemic issue; one aid organization (backed by the very forces funding and enacting violence against Palestinians) cannot effectively supply humanitarian aid to those in need. Rather than pour insufficient resources into a controversial aid distribution program, the U.S. must hold Israel accountable and call for an end to the blockades causing the crisis.
