Israeli troops allegedly open fire on Gazans attempting to reach aid hub of GHF, resulting in approximately 34 fatalities according to Palestinian reports.
In the heart of Deir al-Balah, Gaza Strip, a grim tale unfolded as shootings erupted near food aid centers run by the controversial Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), causing the tragic deaths of at least 34 Palestinians on Monday. This devastating incident, reported by the Hamas-governed Gaza Health Ministry, marks the deadliest to date in a series of regular shootings that have taken place as hordes of Palestinians brave Israeli military-controlled zones to reach the GHF "hubs" for food[2].
Two eyewitnesses divulged that early Monday, Israeli soldiers attempted to quell the crowds, opening fire. The Israeli military remains silent on the matter, yet in past occurrences, it has maintained that troops fired warning shots at individuals whostellunged towards their positions[2].
The toll of death on Monday isn't confined to the southern city of Rafah, where 33 Palestinians were killed trying to reach the GHF center, and an additional Palestinian was fatally shot attempting to reach a GHF hub in central Gaza[2]. Another four innocents were also killed elsewhere within the embattled territory.
At the scene of the Rafah incident, Heba Jouda and Mohammed Abed, two aid-seekers, shared their account with The Associated Press. They described Israeli forces firing upon the masses around 4 a.m. at the Flag Roundabout, a site notorious for such shootings[2]. Even though the military established specific routes for accessing the food centers, GHF has repeatedly cautioned that deviating from the planned routes puts one in danger, as people struggle to obtain resources ahead of others[2].
Israel and the United States argue the new GHF system serves to prevent Hamas from pilfering aid[2]. Yet, despite the criticism, GHF asserts that violence has never taken place in or near the sites themselves[2]. The funding and management of GHF remain largely enigmatic since its debut in mid-May, although it is staffed by American private security contractors[2].
In a surprising move, several U.N. agencies along with major aid groups have boycotted the new system, stating it falls short of meeting Gaza's needs and enables Israel to employ aid as a weapon[2]. They rebuke allegations of Hamas embezzling aid[2].
Philippe Lazzarini, head of the U.N.'s agency for Palestinians, UNRWA, condemned GHF as a "lethal distribution system" on Monday[2]. He felt compelled to lament that "human sufferings escalate in Gaza while attention turns elsewhere," referring to the ongoing escalation of the Israel-Iran conflict that has ignited significant fighting[2].
Following surprise strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities and high-ranking officials on Thursday night, tensions between Israel and Iran continue[1]. The Israeli military has reportedly claimed that at least 24 civilians have lost their lives amid exchanges of fire, with allegations of hundreds more fatalities in Iran[1].
Seeing the devastation, Israeli officials have accused U.N. aid agencies of neglect in the collection and distribution of food[3]. Meanwhile, Palestinian health officials report scores of people have been slain and badly injured since the GHF sites went live in late May, making a strong case that Israel's ongoing military campaign, coupled with the restrictive entry of aid, could potentially push the Gaza Strip towards famine[3].
References:
- https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/6/1/death-toll-rises-as-at-least-34-palestinians-killed-in-gaza-violence
- https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/us-allies-sanction-isaaci-cabinet-members-inciting-violence-west-bank-2025-06-16/
- https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/world/israel-denies-reports-its-troops-killed-palestinians-at-food-distribution-sites/ar-AA12QMDI
Keywords:* Gaza Strip* Food distribution centers* Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF)* Israel-Hamas conflict* War* Hamas* Palestinians* Middle East* Tension between Israel and Iran* Benjamin Netanyahu
- Amidst the escalating conflict in the Middle East, troubles extend to the Gaza Strip with the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF) food distribution centers becoming a focal point of violence.
- Meanwhile, in the general news sphere, political tensions between Israel, Iran, and Hamas continue to cause distress, creating a complex web of war-and-conflicts and health crises in the region.
