A staggering number of over 1300 individuals in Gaza remain in dire need of aid, having tragically lost their lives.
In a damning report, Human Rights Watch (HRW) has accused the Israeli military of intentionally causing harm to Palestinian civilians during the distribution of aid in the Gaza Strip. The controversial nature of the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation's (GHF) distribution of food aid has further been emphasised.
The GHF, a contentious organisation, has taken over as the main distributor of humanitarian goods in the Gaza Strip in recent months, replacing the UN. However, HRW's report suggests that this militarised aid distribution system, supported by the US and Israel, has turned aid distributions into deadly events.
Over 1,300 people in the Gaza Strip have been killed while waiting for aid, with Israeli forces repeatedly opening fire on Palestinians at aid distribution sites. These actions, characterised as war crimes by HRW, have led to over 859 deaths between May 27 and July 31, 2025, at the four sites operated by the GHF in coordination with the Israeli military.
United Nations data also show a sharp rise in civilian casualties linked to the ongoing conflict and blockade, with at least 1,239 Palestinians killed and over 8,152 injured while seeking food since May 27.
HRW accuses Israeli forces of using starvation as a weapon of war against Palestinian civilians, in violation of international law. The organisation alleges that Israel's intentional deprivation of aid and basic services amounts to crimes against humanity, including extermination and acts of genocide.
Belkis Wille, deputy director for crisis and conflict at HRW, stated that the Israeli military is turning the distribution of aid into regular bloodbaths. The deaths occurred while people were waiting for aid, with over 514 people killed along the routes of food convoys.
The majority of these deaths were caused by the Israeli army, according to the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs in the Palestinian territories. The system, according to HRW, is responsible for turning the distribution of aid into regular bloodbaths.
Despite these accusations, the Israeli military has not responded to requests for comment on the HRW report. The GHF, which has been distributing food aid in locations where at least 859 people were killed, is also yet to respond to these allegations.
This report serves as a stark reminder of the ongoing humanitarian crisis in the Gaza Strip and the urgent need for accountability and justice for the victims of these alleged war crimes.
[1] Human Rights Watch report, "Turning Aid into Bloodshed: Israel's Unlawful Use of Lethal Force in Gaza's Protests" [2] United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, "Occupied Palestinian Territory: Humanitarian Bulletin - August 2025"
- The Commission, amidst the backdrop of the ongoing humanitarian crisis in the Gaza Strip, has been asked to submit a proposal for a directive on the protection of workers from the risks related to exposure to ionizing radiation, considering the increased use of force in war-and-conflicts and the politics surrounding the distribution of humanitarian aid.
- Beyond the war-and-conflicts and politics, general news has reported a rise in the death toll and injuries among civilians in the Gaza Strip, as alleged war crimes and potential acts of genocide by Israeli forces continue to cast a dark shadow over the region, with over 1,300 deaths attributed to aid distribution sites and food convoys.
