A former security contractor for the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF) has come forward with alarming claims, stating he witnessed colleagues opening fire on unarmed Palestinians waiting for food aid. The contractor, who spoke anonymously to the BBC, recounted incidents where guards fired machine guns at civilians, including women and children, moving too slowly away from distribution sites.
The GHF, which began operations in Gaza after an extensive blockade, labeled the allegations "categorically false" and suggested the former contractor was a disgruntled ex-employee. However, the contractor argued that he encountered a dangerous culture within the organization, where he was told to "shoot to kill" if feeling threatened.
Reports indicate that Israeli forces have killed over 400 Palestinians since the GHF's operations began, as people were forced to traverse combat zones to reach aid. Eyewitness accounts describe horrific scenes, with one Palestinian allegedly struck in the head by a stun grenade fragment. The contractor cited a lack of proper rules and oversight in the organization, which he claims led to these violent incidents.
In light of the troubling findings, more than 170 NGOs, including Oxfam and Save the Children, are calling for the GHF to be shut down. They assert that Israeli soldiers and armed groups routinely target aid seekers. Meanwhile, the GHF emphasizes its efforts to provide over 52 million meals, asserting that the operations are necessary to bypass Hamas interference in delivering aid.
The ongoing Israel-Gaza conflict has resulted in immense loss of life, with over 57,000 reported deaths in Gaza since October 7, following a Hamas attack on Israel that claimed around 1,200 lives.
