US-Israeli Aid Pauses Gaza Operations Following Civilian Deaths/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ A U.S.- and Israeli-backed humanitarian group paused food distribution in Gaza following deadly shootings near its aid sites. At least 80 people have been killed near the distribution areas since operations began, many by Israeli gunfire. Talks are underway to improve safety, while the United Nations refuses to support the current aid system.
Gaza Aid Crisis: Quick Looks
- The Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), backed by the US and Israel, has suspended operations at three aid sites.
- At least 80 people have been killed near distribution points since last week, according to health officials.
- Israel acknowledges opening fire in one incident, citing proximity to military zones and warning shots.
- GHF is in talks with Israeli military to improve safety protocols and foot traffic guidance.
- UN and Red Cross confirm casualties; the UN refuses to support the new aid system.
- The Gaza war, reignited in March, has displaced 90% of the population and killed over 54,000 people.
US-Israeli Aid Pauses Gaza Operations Following Civilian Deaths
Deep Look
The Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), a US- and Israeli-supported aid group, has paused all food distribution in the Gaza Strip after a series of deadly shootings occurred near its distribution centers. The decision comes amid mounting pressure and humanitarian outcry over civilian deaths that have taken place in proximity to the group’s operations, particularly near Rafah.
At least 27 Palestinians were reported killed on Tuesday by Gaza health officials, a number echoed by the Red Cross and the United Nations’ human rights office, following Israeli gunfire near a GHF food distribution point. Witnesses say Israeli forces fired on civilians approaching the area, though Israel’s military contends that it opened fire near suspected individuals who ignored verbal warnings and fired no shots inside the aid center itself.
Since GHF’s food hubs opened last week, over 80 people have been killed in similar circumstances, according to local hospital officials. The fatalities have occurred as thousands of desperate Palestinians attempt to reach the limited aid sites on foot, often before dawn, navigating through areas close to Israeli military perimeters.
In response, GHF stated it is actively working with the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) to restructure access and improve military training and civilian guidance procedures, aiming to minimize future confusion and avoid escalation. A GHF spokesperson noted that while the aid centers themselves have remained peaceful, the journey there presents life-threatening risks to civilians.
A Controversial Aid Strategy
The current humanitarian system was introduced by Israel and the United States as an alternative to the traditional UN-led delivery model, which they argue was vulnerable to interference by Hamas militants. Their goal: deliver aid securely without allowing it to be diverted or sold to fund militant operations.
However, this new strategy has come under fire. The United Nations has refused to participate, saying the new model violates international humanitarian principles, effectively allowing Israel to decide who gets aid and forcing displaced Gazans to converge on just three locations—two of which are in Rafah, now heavily militarized and largely depopulated.
Critics argue the strategy fails to address the underlying logistical and safety issues, especially as Israel had imposed a total import ban on food and essential supplies for nearly three months prior to easing restrictions in May. UN agencies and international NGOs claim continued border restrictions, rising lawlessness, and frequent looting make aid delivery extremely difficult.
Mounting Humanitarian Catastrophe
The situation is rapidly deteriorating. Experts warn of imminent famine, noting that without a substantial policy shift—particularly ending the blockade and ceasing military offensives—millions remain on the brink of starvation. The conflict resumed in March following the collapse of a ceasefire, triggering further destruction and displacement.
The war began on October 7, 2023, when Hamas militants launched a deadly cross-border attack that killed around 1,200 people in Israel and led to the abduction of 251 hostages. Roughly 58 hostages remain in captivity, with about one-third believed to be alive.
Israel’s retaliatory campaign has since claimed the lives of over 54,000 Palestinians, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry—figures broadly accepted by the UN and independent monitors, though disputed by Israel, which claims to have killed 20,000 militants without supplying verifiable evidence.
The result is catastrophic: 90% of Gaza’s population is displaced, vast urban centers are in ruins, and millions are now entirely reliant on aid. With food deliveries halted, the death toll from hunger may soon rival that from the fighting.
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