When humanitarian aid becomes a battlefield: Analyzing systematic attacks on Gaza’s food sites

Findings from investigations into the killing of Gaza residents at food distribution sites indicate a continuous and systematic pattern of shootings by Israeli military forces targeting them.

The Guardian’s investigation, based on analysis of visual evidence, bullets, medical data, injury patterns from two hospitals, and interviews with medical organizations and surgeons over nearly 50 days of food distribution, shows a persistent pattern of Israeli forces shooting Palestinians seeking food.

The Guardian reviewed more than 30 videos of shootings near food distribution sites run by the so-called Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), supported by the US and Israel; over 2 Palestinians were mostly wounded by bullets during the 48 days under review.

It is a proven fact that many Palestinians visiting GHF sites have been subjected to systematic yet indiscriminate fire from Israeli forces.

Doctors at Nasser Hospital in Khan Yunis and the Red Cross field hospital in Rafah reported an unprecedented number of bullet wounds; nearly all patients in the field hospital said they were shot by the Israeli army while trying to reach food distribution points.

The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) stated that the number of victims following this pattern exceeds the total number of patients treated during mass casualty events last year; Guardian data shows more than 100 of these wounded died upon arrival.

According to UN reports, since May 27, at least 1,373 Palestinians have been killed while searching for food; 859 near GHF sites and 514 along food convoy routes.

A 20-year-old Gaza resident hospitalized after being targeted at a food distribution center said: "We waited two hours at the food site when the Israeli army opened fire on the crowd; the man next to me was torn apart, and his remains were carried in the bag he brought for flour."

Of the 21 days of shootings at food distribution sites in June, during which about 2,000 Palestinians were wounded, the Israeli army admitted to firing in 8 cases, citing reasons like warning shots and firing at suspicious individuals.

In some cases, the Israeli army acknowledged awareness of reports of injuries and said 7 such cases are under investigation; GHF repeatedly claimed no incidents occurred at their food distribution centers.

An English weapons expert, commenting on footage with gunfire sounds, said: "This was reckless and irresponsible; there is no tactical reason to use such light arms fire near civilian populations; it is utterly cruel."

American weapons specialist Thor Bal said: "If these shootings were intended as warning shots, it’s unsafe; targeting people so close poses significant risk of injury or death; bullets can ricochet and be influenced by wind and other factors; these risks increase with proximity."

Bal said the bullets, caliber 7.62x51mm, match the standard ammunition of the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF).

The English weapons expert also noted all bullets were high-velocity, indicating possible military intent.

Professor Nick Minard, consultant surgeon at Oxford University Hospital, who has traveled to Gaza since 2010 and completed three missions at Nasser Hospital since the war began, said he mostly saw bullet wounds since GHF sites opened.

Minard said: "I witnessed clusters of similar injuries coinciding with food distribution days; on those days, 6 to 12 patients presented with injuries; this indicates systematic shooting."

At Rafah, the 60-bed Red Cross field hospital treated over 2,200 patients from more than 21 separate incidents with mass casualties (more than 30 wounded simultaneously) between May 27 (when GHF centers opened) and June 26.

The Israeli army has made baseless claims to justify these crimes; the European Commission found no evidence supporting these claims.

From the outset, food distribution at GHF centers was accompanied by violence; over 400 Palestinians were wounded in the first week, and more than 30 died upon arrival at the Red Cross field hospital.

The first food distribution site, in western Rafah, was marked for evacuation by the Israeli regime; Palestinians had to defy this order to get food.

Four days later, in early June, scattered gunfire was heard near the food aid site; about 170 Palestinians were wounded and 30 killed that day.

A 30-year-old who expressed disgust at the situation after the shooting was killed two days later while collecting food at the same place.

His brother, living in the Deir al-Balah refugee camp in central Gaza, said: "There is no order, no humanity, no respect for people."

Ahmed Zaidan, a boy who lost his mother to Israeli gunfire while receiving food, said: "I advise people not to go to food centers; curse these aid efforts; they took my mother from me."

Between June 16 and 20, shootings intensified, wounding 600 Palestinians near distribution centers.

Under international humanitarian law, those involved in aid delivery and their supporters must ensure humanitarian assistance is provided safely, neutrally, and without exposing civilians to additional risks, including safe access guarantees.

A law professor at Rutgers University, New Jersey, said: "These are serious violations of the Fourth Geneva Convention and war crimes under customary international law and the International Criminal Court statute; a soldier might argue self-defense, but shooting unarmed civilians from afar is neither reasonable nor proportional."

Bishri Khalidi, Oxfam’s policy lead for the Palestinian territories and with family trapped in Gaza, said: "This is not a humanitarian system; it is a deadly scheme."

Recent reports indicate some Israeli soldiers were ordered to fire on civilians receiving food while American contractors said their colleagues fired military-grade ammunition at Palestinians collecting food in Gaza.