What's happened
As of mid-July 2025, the UN has recorded at least 875 deaths near Gaza aid distribution points, primarily those run by the US-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF). Most fatalities are gunshot wounds sustained while Palestinians sought aid amid ongoing Israeli military operations and a complex humanitarian crisis. The UN calls for investigations amid contested narratives over responsibility.
What's behind the headline?
Humanitarian Crisis Amid Conflict
The reported deaths near Gaza aid sites reveal a dire humanitarian crisis exacerbated by the ongoing conflict and complex aid delivery mechanisms. The Gaza Humanitarian Foundation's model, operating with private US security and Israeli military proximity, has been criticized by the UN for compromising humanitarian neutrality and safety. This has led to deadly consequences for Palestinians seeking aid.
Conflicting Narratives and Accountability
The GHF denies incidents at its sites, accusing the UN of misinformation, while the UN and Gaza health authorities report hundreds of killings, mostly from gunfire by Israeli forces. Israel acknowledges some civilian deaths but blames Hamas for obstructing aid and falsifying casualty figures. This clash complicates accountability and obscures the truth on the ground.
Impact on Gaza's Population and Health Infrastructure
The violence at aid sites compounds Gaza's already devastated health system, with only 16 of 36 hospitals partially operational and overwhelmed by casualties. The World Health Organization describes hospitals like Nasser Medical Complex as overwhelmed trauma centers. The ongoing conflict and restricted aid access threaten to deepen the humanitarian catastrophe.
Forecast and Consequences
Without independent investigations and improved humanitarian access, violence around aid distribution will likely continue, further endangering civilians. The politicization of aid delivery risks undermining relief efforts and prolonging suffering. International pressure for transparency and adherence to humanitarian principles is critical to prevent further loss of life.
What the papers say
The UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) spokesperson Ravina Shamdasani provided detailed casualty figures, stating, "We have recorded at least 875 killings within the past six weeks at aid points in Gaza," with most deaths near Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF) sites (SBS, The Independent, The Times of Israel). The GHF, however, disputes these claims, calling the UN figures "false and misleading" and asserting no violent incidents occurred at their sites (The Times of Israel, South China Morning Post).
The South China Morning Post highlights the GHF's use of private US security and logistics companies to bypass the UN-led aid system, which Israel accuses Hamas of exploiting. The GHF claims other humanitarian groups have had "nearly all of their aid looted" by Hamas or criminal gangs, emphasizing the need for more aid and cooperation to reduce violence.
Al Jazeera and The New Arab report harrowing accounts from Gaza residents and medical personnel, describing the aid sites as "death traps" and "American death zones," with many victims suffering gunshot wounds while seeking food. The World Health Organization's Rik Peeperkorn describes overwhelmed hospitals and daily injuries linked to these distribution points.
These contrasting perspectives illustrate the complexity of aid delivery in Gaza amid conflict, with competing narratives over responsibility and safety. The UN calls for independent investigations and accountability, while the GHF urges collaboration to improve aid distribution and reduce violence.
How we got here
Following an 11-week Israeli blockade on Gaza, the US-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation began aid distribution in late May 2025. The GHF operates largely outside the UN system, aiming to bypass Hamas, which Israel accuses of looting aid. Since then, deadly incidents have occurred near aid sites, with the UN documenting hundreds of Palestinian deaths amid ongoing conflict and restricted access.
Go deeper
- Why are so many Palestinians killed near Gaza aid sites?
- What is the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation and how does it operate?
- What is the UN's response to the violence at aid distribution points?
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More on these topics
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Hamas is a Palestinian Sunni-Islamic fundamentalist militant organization. It has a social service wing, Dawah, and a military wing, the Izz ad-Din al-Qassam Brigades.
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Gaza may refer to:
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Israel, formally known as the State of Israel, is a country in Western Asia, located on the southeastern shore of the Mediterranean Sea and the northern shore of the Red Sea.
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The United Nations is an intergovernmental organization that aims to maintain international peace and security, develop friendly relations among nations, achieve international cooperation, and be a centre for harmonizing the actions of nations.
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The Israel Defense Forces, commonly known in Israel by the Hebrew acronym Tzahal, are the military forces of the State of Israel. They consist of the ground forces, air force, and navy. It is the sole military wing of the Israeli security forces, and has
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The Gaza Strip, or simply Gaza, is a self-governing Palestinian territory on the eastern coast of the Mediterranean Sea, that borders Egypt on the southwest for 11 kilometers and Israel on the east and north along a 51 km border.