‘False Reporting’: GHF Counters Widespread Media Claims of Israeli Attack on Palestinians Seeking Aid in Gaza

Latest Developments

Aid Group Counters Media Reports: The Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF) rejected reports of civilian casualties at the organization’s Safe Distribution Sites after CNN, the BBC, The New York Times, the Associated Press, and several other news outlets claimed dozens of Palestinians were killed by Israeli fire near the humanitarian aid distribution zones. “While we have seen false news reporting about deaths, mass injuries and chaos at our distribution sites, yesterday’s false reporting was the most egregious in terms of outright fabrications and misinformation,” the GHF said. The organization reiterated “that there were no injuries, fatalities or incidents” during its operations on June 1, adding that it has “yet to see any concrete evidence that there was an attack at or near our facility.”
IDF Releases Video of Hamas Firing on Civilians: Later the same day, the IDF released drone footage showing armed terrorists shooting at Gazan civilians collecting aid. “Findings from an initial inquiry indicate that the IDF did not fire at civilians while they were near or within the humanitarian aid distribution site and that reports to this effect are false,” the IDF asserted. Israel confirmed that it is cooperating with the GHF and international aid organizations “in order to enable the distribution of aid to Gazan residents — and not to Hamas.”
U.S. Embassy Statement: U.S. Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee condemned on June 2 what he described as “reckless and irresponsible reporting by major U.S. news outlets” covering the alleged incident. Huckabee added that such “sloppy journalism” contributes “to the antisemitic climate that has resulted in the murder of two young people at an Israeli Embassy event in Washington last month and the attempted murder and terror attack on a group of pro-Israel demonstrators in Colorado” on June 1. “The efforts of GHF have resulted in over 5 million meals to civilians without incident,” Huckabee stated.

FDD Expert Response

“Reports from major news outlets over the weekend not only failed journalistic standards but bordered on full-throated endorsement of terrorist propaganda. Hamas desires to return the aid process to a United Nations-centric effort that it has spent years co-opting and monetizing for its own gain. Major media outlets are now directly aiding Hamas in perpetuating a false narrative that the new aid process is a form of violence against Palestinians, rather than a lifeline free from the terror group’s extortion.” — Tyler Stapleton, Director of Congressional Relations at FDD Action

“Israel possesses one of the most advanced intelligence networks and formidable military forces globally, yet it continues to struggle in the information domain against Hamas and its allies. The recurring failure by the IDF to respond swiftly and effectively to emerging narratives has created a vacuum often filled by hostile actors. In many cases, delays in releasing verified information or visual evidence allow false claims to take root and shape global discourse before the facts are clarified. Speed, clarity, and credibility must be prioritized if Israel is to counteract the weaponization of disinformation by its adversaries.” — Joe Truzman, Senior Research Analyst and Editor at FDD’s Long War Journal