Killing of starving: Israel again suspends aid deliveries to Gaza

Israel has again halted aid deliveries to Gaza, blocking all trucks from entering the besieged enclave. According to Israeli media reports, the move was prompted by claims that some of the aid was being seized by Hamas fighters.

However, some Israeli soldiers have revealed shocking stories of how civilians trying to collect aid were killed without any reason. In interviews with Israeli newspaper Haaretz, they said, “These killings were unnecessary. None of the people coming for aid posed any threat to the soldiers.”

Analysts believe Israel made this decision in response to strong criticism both internationally and within the country. On Saturday (June 28), the Israeli military announced that a new plan would be created to prevent aid from reaching Hamas. Until that plan is ready, no aid will be allowed into Gaza.

Earlier in March, Israel also blocked aid from entering Gaza, including supplies from various aid agencies and countries. Facing global criticism, Israel later allowed limited aid through a newly formed group called the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), funded by the United States. The aid was delivered without involving the UN or other major humanitarian organizations.

However, GHF has been controversial and largely ineffective since the beginning. Many people were killed or injured while trying to collect food from its distribution centers. According to Gaza’s health ministry, at least 549 Palestinian civilians were killed and over 4,066 injured in just four weeks while trying to get aid from these sites.

Under US and Israeli control, the GHF's aid centers have turned into death traps for Palestinians.

An Israeli soldier, who wished to remain anonymous, told Haaretz on Friday (June 27), “It was a killing ground. Where I was stationed, between one and five people were shot dead every day. These people were seen as enemies. No crowd control measures were used—no tear gas or anything else. We fired directly at them with heavy machine guns, grenade launchers, and cannons.”

He added, “When we stopped shooting, people assumed it was safe and tried to approach the aid centers. Our way of communicating with them was through gunfire.”

He continued, “If someone tried to line up for aid early in the morning, even hundreds of meters away, we sometimes shot from a distance—or up close. But none of them were threats. I’ve never heard of anyone shooting back. There were no enemies, no weapons.”

Another soldier said, “Firing cannon shells to keep hungry people away is neither professional nor humane. Yes, maybe a few Hamas fighters were nearby. But many people were there only to get food.”

He also said, “This place now follows its own rules. Death means nothing here. These killings aren’t even seen as unfortunate incidents.”

When asked about these reports, the Israeli military (IDF) did not confirm or deny the claims.

However, Israel’s Military Advocate General’s Office has said it will investigate whether Israeli soldiers committed war crimes by killing unarmed civilians who came to aid centers.

Despite all the criticism, the US has approved a $30 million direct aid package for the GHF.

On Thursday (June 26), US State Department spokesperson Tommy Pigott said, “We encourage other countries to support GHF’s important work.” Responding to criticism, he added that GHF has distributed 46 million meals so far, calling it an impressive achievement.

He further said, “President Donald Trump and Secretary of State Marco Rubio are working for peace in the region, and GHF’s work is part of that effort.”

However, the United Nations and leading international aid groups have refused to work with the GHF. Doctors Without Borders has also called for a halt to GHF's aid operations.

Gaza’s health ministry reported that, including casualties from the past 24 hours, a total of 56,331 Palestinians have been killed and 132,632 injured in Israeli attacks since October 2023. Many more remain trapped under rubble or on the streets, unreachable by rescue teams.

Gaza’s media office stated that Israeli forces have destroyed over 1,000 homes in northern Gaza and displaced more than 300,000 people toward Gaza City, which lacks adequate shelter and infrastructure.

According to the United Nations, nearly 90% of Gaza’s population has been displaced due to Israel’s continuous and unrestrained attacks. Most of the infrastructure has been damaged or destroyed.