In brief
An ex-security contractor states that guards shot at Palestinian civilians amidst ongoing humanitarian crises; the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation vehemently denies these claims.
A former security contractor working with the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF) has made alarming allegations about the organization's aid distribution operations, claiming staff have opened fire on unarmed Palestinians seeking food aid. Speaking anonymously to the BBC, the contractor described multiple instances of guards firing weapons, including machine guns, at civilians who posed no threat. On one occasion, he recounted an incident where a guard fired at a slow-moving group of women, children, and the elderly, stating, “another contractor opened up with 15 to 20 shots of repetitive weapons fire at the crowd.”The GHF, which began operations in Gaza amid dire humanitarian needs following an 11-week blockade, categorically denied the charges saying that no civilians had come under fire at their distribution sites. They attributed the claims to a "disgruntled former contractor." However, the accused contractor provided pay slips indicating continuity of pay even after leaving the organization.In the current humanitarian context, the GHF's distribution system has come under fire for compelling huge numbers of Palestinians to traverse active combat zones for limited aid. Reports indicate that over 400 Palestinians have died while attempting to access aid through GHF sites, according to local doctors and UN sources. Israeli officials argue that the distribution systems are structured to prevent aid from reaching Hamas.The contractor claimed an alarming culture at GHF permitting excessive force, reporting that guards operated without proper rules or procedures. He stated they were told, “if you feel threatened, shoot – shoot to kill and ask questions later.” He described a mentality among staff that dehumanized Palestinians, who were referred to derogatorily as “zombie hordes.”Additionally, the contractor reported serious injuries among Palestinians due to aggressive crowd control strategies, which included the use of stun grenades and mace. He recounted specific incidents involving serious injuries to individuals trying to access aid.Criticism of the GHF has grown, with over 170 NGOs and charities, including Oxfam and Save the Children, recently calling for its closure, stating that aid seekers are often targeted by armed groups. The Israeli military, however, maintains that the GHF's system is necessary to deliver direct assistance and denies any policy of shooting at aid recipients.As the humanitarian situation in Gaza has dramatically deteriorated since the onset of renewed conflict in October, the GHF claims to have delivered over 52 million meals in recent weeks, emphasizing the rampant looting that hampers aid other organizations. The situation escalated following a Hamas attack on Israel that resulted in significant casualties on both sides, with Gaza's Hamas-run health ministry reporting that over 57,130 people have since died in the territory.
