On Thursday, Amnesty International released a report alleging that a controversial aid distribution system in Gaza, backed by both Israel and the U.S., employs starvation tactics against Palestinians as part of an ongoing strategy of genocide during the conflict with Hamas. The report criticizes both Israel and the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), which has taken over aid distribution from the United Nations, claiming that it exacerbates the suffering of the Gazan population.
Israel's Foreign Minister responded sharply to the Amnesty report, accusing the organization of aligning itself with Hamas and adopting its propaganda. The report comes amid claims from Gaza's Health Ministry, which states that over 500 Palestinians have died at or near GHF distribution centers in the past month, areas that are heavily guarded by private security and situated close to Israeli military installations. Witnesses and local officials have reported instances of Israeli forces firing on crowds gathering for aid.
According to the Amnesty report, Israel has transformed the search for aid into a lethal trap for Palestinians suffering from starvation. The report highlighted a "deadly mix of hunger and disease" that is pushing the population to the brink of collapse. Agnès Callamard, the Secretary General of Amnesty International, stated, "This devastating daily loss of life as desperate Palestinians try to collect aid is the consequence of their deliberate targeting by Israeli forces."
In defense of its actions, the Israeli army has claimed that it only fires warning shots to manage crowds, asserting that it targets individuals who appear to pose a threat. The Israeli Foreign Ministry, along with COGAT, the body responsible for coordinating aid, stated that Israel has permitted over 3,000 aid trucks to enter Gaza since May 19, with GHF reportedly delivering food equivalent to 56 million meals. However, humanitarian organizations argue that this amount is grossly insufficient to meet the dire needs of the population in Gaza.
The World Food Programme (WFP) has reported that despite the new Israel-backed aid initiative, food consumption levels have plummeted, reaching critical lows last month. The WFP noted that food diversity in Gaza has hit its lowest point since the onset of the conflict, attributing this to the ongoing closure of crossings, increased violence, soaring food prices, and severely restricted access to basic necessities.
Amnesty International's report coincides with a statement from over 165 international charities and NGOs, who are calling for an immediate cessation of the GHF's operations. They claim that the new aid distribution mechanism enables Israel to weaponize food, contravening humanitarian principles and failing to address the overwhelming needs of the Gazan population. The GHF, which began its operations on May 26 following a protracted Israeli blockade, has faced scrutiny due to its opaque funding sources and connections to political figures, including those close to former President Donald Trump.
Palestinian witnesses have described chaotic scenes around GHF distribution sites, with reports from contractors indicating the use of live ammunition and stun grenades against crowds. Many Palestinians are forced to travel significant distances to reach these sites, further complicating their desperate attempts to secure food and essential supplies.
In response to the growing criticism, the GHF has claimed to deliver over 52 million meals to Palestinians and invited other humanitarian organizations to collaborate in feeding the population. The GHF has also requested that the Israeli military investigate allegations from Gaza's Health Ministry, though it has previously stated that there has been no violence at its centers.
Amnesty International's allegations of genocide against Israel are not new. The organization previously accused Israel of attempting to systematically destroy the Palestinian population through violent attacks, destruction of infrastructure, and obstruction of humanitarian aid. Israel vehemently denies these allegations, labeling them as antisemitic and a form of “blood libel.” The country is currently challenging similar claims at the International Court of Justice and has rejected accusations of war crimes from the International Criminal Court involving its leadership.
