Gaza Humanitarian Foundation Blames Hamas Affiliates for Stampede and Stabbing at Aid Site

Latest Developments

Hamas Affiliates Provocation Leads to Deaths: The Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF) blamed Hamas-affiliated agitators for a stampede that caused the deaths of 19 Palestinians at its distribution site in the southern city of Khan Younis on July 16. Separately, a Palestinian was stabbed to death, and an American medic working at the site suffered wounds caused by a Hamas affiliate wielding an icepick-like weapon. “This was not an isolated incident; it’s a part of a clear and escalating pattern,” GHF spokesperson Chapin Fay said.
A Tactical Pattern Emerges: GHF aid distribution sites have been at the center of acts of violence variously blamed on Hamas and the Israeli military since it launched aid operations in Gaza on May 27. The United States and Israel blamed Hamas for a July 5 grenade attack at a distribution site in Khan Younis that injured two American security personnel. On June 27, the GHF said it was “not aware of incidents” involving reported shootings by IDF personnel outside of its aid distribution sites, adding that it is calling on Israel to investigate the allegations.
Pallets of Aid Uncollected: The Coordination of Government Activities in the Territories (COGAT) noted on July 15 that while the United Nations and other organizations have called for additional relief to Gaza, “thousands of pallets of aid” ready for distribution to needy Palestinians have not been collected by these agencies. “Humanitarian responsibility means action, not excuses,” COGAT remarked. For its part, UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs spokesperson Eri Kaneko told Fox News Digital that a “restrictive operational environment” impeded efforts to deliver aid to Palestinians.

FDD Expert Response

“The acts of violence at GHF aid sites bear the hallmarks of a Hamas operation. The Islamist group learned much from embedding its operatives with civilians during protests and riots at the Gaza border between 2018 and 2023. Hamas is now using the same tactics against the GHF that it employed against the IDF during those years: armed operatives in civilian clothing, grenade attacks, and the exploitation of civilians to incite unrest.” — Joe Truzman, Senior Research Analyst and Editor at FDD’s Long War Journal

“The stampede and killing of 20 people at a humanitarian aid station in Gaza illustrates the need to secure and support these sites. Hamas seeks to undermine the work of the GHF and may be responsible for the stampede and attempts to bring weapons to the location. This is not the first time terrorists have attempted to harm the sites or the workers who distribute food. It is imperative to secure the vital humanitarian work of the GHF from threats to undermine its assistance to Gazans.” — Seth J. Frantzman, FDD Adjunct Fellow