At least 19 killed in crowd crush near distribution site, says Israel- backed aid group.

According to the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), which is supported by Israel and the United States, at least 20 individuals were killed in an incident in Khan Younis. According to a statement, 19 individuals were trampled and one was stabbed after a surge “driven by agitators in the crowd”.

We have convincing evidence to think that elements in the audience, armed and linked with Hamas, purposefully incited the unrest,” it stated. “For the first time since operations began, GHF officials discovered multiple guns among the throng, one of which was confiscated. During the event, one of the crowd members threatened an American worker with a pistol.” It presented no proof to back up the claim. The Gaza health ministry, administered by Hamas, said 21 Palestinians were killed, “including 15 who died of suffocation as a result of tear gas fired at the starving people and the subsequent stampede” at the GHF facility. The statement is unusual for the GHF, as the controversial group, which has been rejected by the United Nations and other aid groups, rarely acknowledges trouble at its distribution sites.

The GHF began distributing food packages in Gaza at the end of May, after Israel eased its 11-week blockade of aid into the territory. It operates four distribution centres, three of which are in the southern Gaza Strip. The installations, which are off limits to independent journalists, are monitored by private security contractors and are located in areas where the Israeli military operations. According to Palestinian witnesses, Israeli soldiers have frequently opened fire on civilians approaching aid stations. The Israeli military claims to have fired warning shots at those who acted suspiciously. It claims that its personnel are stationed near assistance distribution points to prevent militants from obtaining supplies.

Following the deaths of hundreds of Palestinians attempting to access assistance hubs, the UN described the GHF’s aid strategy as “inherently unsafe” and a violation of humanitarian impartiality requirements. In response, a GHF representative stated, “The fact is that the most deadly attacks on aid sites have been linked to UN convoys.”

The GHF claims to have provided more than 70 million meals to Gazans in five weeks, and that other humanitarian organisations that refuse to engage with the GHF have had “nearly all of their aid looted” by Hamas or criminal gangs.