A growing outcry over civilian deaths near Gaza aid distribution sites has prompted the Israeli military to investigate reports of its forces firing on unarmed Palestinians. Since late May, over 400 people have reportedly been killed while seeking food and relief at Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF) centers, sparking international concern and renewed scrutiny of Israel’s military conduct.
Over 400 Palestinians reported killed while seeking food; IDF admits to ‘inaccurate fire’ amid mounting international outrage
The Israeli military has launched an internal investigation into what it calls “reports of harm to civilians” following widespread condemnation over repeated killings near Gaza aid distribution sites. Since the launch of the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF) in late May—an Israeli- and U.S.-backed initiative to deliver aid outside of UN channels—more than 400 Palestinians have reportedly been killed while attempting to access food and relief supplies.
The UN has called the GHF system “inherently unsafe,” and its Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said the aid mechanism fails to protect the lives of civilians in a war-torn territory where more than half a million people are facing starvation.
Eyewitnesses, medical workers, and the Hamas-run health ministry have consistently reported that Israeli forces opened fire on civilians near GHF sites. Some victims were reportedly gunned down without warning. Despite these claims, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) insist that no deliberate targeting of civilians has occurred.
On Monday, the IDF acknowledged that some deaths occurred due to “inaccurate fire” and said that new instructions had been issued to prevent similar incidents. It did not specify what those “lessons learned” were. The IDF also stated it is examining all reports of civilian harm and will investigate any potential violations of military law or internal rules.
However, the issue deepened after the Israeli newspaper Haaretz published a report quoting unnamed IDF soldiers who claimed they were ordered to shoot at unarmed civilians approaching the aid sites. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu dismissed the report as “malicious falsehoods.”
Meanwhile, multiple Israeli outlets, including the Times of Israel, reported that the military has internally acknowledged Palestinian casualties at aid locations, although it questioned the accuracy of casualty numbers provided by Hamas.
In an effort to reduce further civilian deaths, the IDF said it would reorganize aid site access points, erect new fencing, and post clearer signage to guide the population and “minimize friction.” It also announced the closure of a distribution center in Tel al-Sultan, near Rafah, to be replaced with a more secure site.
Despite its dangers, the GHF continues to operate with growing financial support. Last week, the U.S. State Department pledged $30 million in funding—its first direct contribution to the initiative. The system was designed to circumvent Hamas and ensure aid reaches civilians, though Hamas denies claims that it diverts supplies.
The GHF was launched after Israel eased a three-month blockade of Gaza under pressure from global allies. The blockade and continued military campaign have devastated the enclave. Since the war began in response to Hamas’s October 7, 2023 attack—which left 1,200 Israelis dead and 251 taken hostage—Gaza’s health ministry reports that over 56,500 Palestinians have been killed.