[MIDDLE EAST] In a troubling incident in Rafah, Gaza, Doctors Without Borders (MSF) reported that civilians seeking food aid were shot at “from all sides” by Israeli forces. According to MSF, people at the aid site, run by the newly established US-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), described chaos, injuries, and death as Israeli drones, helicopters, tanks, and soldiers allegedly opened fire. Gaza’s civil defense agency confirmed 31 Palestinians were killed, while local witnesses reported seeing gunfire at the scene.
The Israeli military and GHF have strongly denied these claims. Israel’s army stated that an initial investigation found no evidence of its troops firing on civilians near the aid distribution site. GHF, for its part, blamed Hamas for spreading “fake reports” and rejected MSF’s accusations. Meanwhile, MSF medics treated many locals at Nasser hospital in Khan Younis, where the emergency room was filled with patients suffering from gunshot wounds.
MSF leaders sharply criticized GHF’s aid operations, calling them “dehumanising, dangerous and severely ineffective.” They argued that humanitarian aid should only be provided by experienced humanitarian groups, warning that the current system was directly contributing to preventable civilian deaths and injuries. A wounded man at the scene summed up local frustrations, saying, “They told us to take food – then they fired from every direction. This isn’t aid. It’s a lie.”
Implications
For humanitarian organizations, this incident raises urgent questions about who should manage aid in conflict zones. MSF’s harsh criticism of the GHF suggests that political or military-backed aid groups may lack the experience and neutrality necessary to operate safely, potentially endangering civilians rather than helping them. The situation underlines the importance of clear humanitarian protocols and experienced, neutral actors in delivering aid.
For international policymakers, the conflicting narratives between MSF, the Israeli military, and GHF highlight how difficult it is to verify facts on the ground in Gaza. This could further complicate diplomatic efforts to ensure accountability and effective humanitarian access. If such incidents continue, they may intensify international scrutiny of both Israeli operations and US-backed aid efforts in the region.
For local populations, this tragedy reinforces deep mistrust toward international and Israeli-backed aid operations. Civilians caught in the crossfire are left to navigate a system they see as unreliable and even dangerous. Without rebuilding trust in humanitarian delivery, there is a risk that aid efforts will fail to reach those who need it most, worsening Gaza’s already dire humanitarian crisis.
What We Think
This incident exposes a fundamental flaw in the international aid response in Gaza: when humanitarian efforts are entangled with military or political agendas, they lose the trust and safety required to function effectively. While GHF may have been launched with good intentions, its lack of experience and neutrality, as called out by MSF, appears to be creating more harm than help on the ground.
The denials from Israeli authorities and GHF are predictable, but they do little to address the accounts of wounded civilians and overwhelmed medics. Even if some reports are exaggerated or politicized, the presence of so many gunshot victims suggests something went seriously wrong. International actors backing GHF must now reassess their approach, listen to experienced humanitarian voices, and ensure aid delivery prioritizes civilian safety.
In the broader picture, this event also reminds us that aid is not just about resources—it’s about trust, neutrality, and competence. Without these, even the most well-funded operations can break down, leaving vulnerable populations to pay the price.
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