A stampede at a food distribution center in Gaza, operated by an Israeli-supported American aid group, left 20 Palestinians dead on Wednesday, most of them crushed in the crowd, according to the organization. These are the first fatalities reported directly at one of the group's aid centers, though many others have reportedly died from Israeli fire on the way to the sites.
Separately, Israeli airstrikes across the territory killed at least 54 more people, including 14 children, health officials said.
The Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF) accused Hamas of inciting violence at the distribution site, which contributed to the deadly crowd surge. GHF spokesperson Chapin Fay said it was the first time a significant number of individuals in the crowd were seen carrying firearms. An American medic working with GHF was reportedly stabbed during the chaos.
GHF stated that the Israeli military had alerted them earlier in the day that Hamas militants had mixed into the crowd, although the only evidence presented was a photo of a pistol that one of the contractors allegedly confiscated. Months of war have severely undermined law and order in Gaza, allowing armed criminal and tribal groups to loot and resell humanitarian aid.
Witnesses said panic erupted when GHF security personnel used stun grenades and pepper spray on a large crowd waiting to enter the site near the cities of Khan Younis and Rafah.
According to GHF, 19 of the 20 victims were trampled, and one died from a stabbing. Gaza’s Health Ministry, however, reported 17 deaths due to suffocation and three from gunfire. It’s unclear whether the shootings occurred during the stampede or en route to the site. Witnesses claimed Israeli forces opened fire on Palestinians heading toward the center. GHF acknowledged that one of its contractors fired into the air to help rescue a child from the chaos.
Thousands of desperate Palestinians had gathered at the site early in the day. While GHF insisted the gates were open, some witnesses said they were not, and schedules for such sites often change without notice.
Ahmed Abu Amra, a survivor, described the chaos: “The Americans were shouting over loudspeakers for us to go back, but it was too crowded to move. People were on top of each other. We tried to pull out those trapped underneath, but we couldn’t. Then they threw stun grenades at us.”
Other witnesses also said pepper spray was used. The Health Ministry claimed tear gas was deployed, but GHF denied that.
GHF maintains that Hamas elements in the crowd triggered the disorder. The wounded American medic was reportedly stabbed after attempting to subdue an armed individual.
Disorder Common at Distribution Centers
Aid distribution at GHF sites has frequently devolved into chaos. According to witnesses and GHF-released videos, food boxes are placed on the ground, and crowds rush in to grab supplies. Video footage shows American contractors using tear gas, stun grenades, and even firing shots to control the crowds.
The UN human rights office reported on Tuesday that 875 Palestinians have died while attempting to receive food since May, with 674 killed on their way to GHF sites and others while waiting for aid trucks.
Israeli Strikes Continue; New Military Corridor Opened
Israeli airstrikes also killed 22 people in Gaza City—including 11 children and three women—19 in Khan Younis, and 13 in central Gaza. The Israeli military claimed it targeted over 120 locations in 24 hours, including Hamas weapons sites and tunnels.
Gaza’s Health Ministry said hospitals received 94 bodies and treated 252 wounded in the last 24 hours. The Israeli army blames Hamas for civilian casualties, citing their use of densely populated areas for military operations.
Meanwhile, Israel opened a fourth corridor through Khan Younis, seizing additional territory in an effort to pressure Hamas. Such corridors have previously complicated ceasefire negotiations, as Israel insists on maintaining control over them.
Talks between Israel and Hamas in Qatar remain stalled after nearly two years of war, sparked by Hamas’ October 7, 2023, cross-border assault, which killed around 1,200 people in Israel and led to the abduction of 251 hostages. About 50 hostages remain in Gaza, though fewer than half are believed to be alive.
Since the conflict began, more than 58,000 Palestinians have been killed, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry. It says women and children account for over half of the deaths. Although the ministry operates under Hamas governance, it is staffed by health professionals and its figures are widely regarded by international organizations as the most reliable.