Gunfire near Gaza food sites investigated

A Guardian investigation using video, medical data and interviews documents repeated gunfire near food distributions in Gaza, raising questions about civilian safety and international law.

Indiscriminate gunfire targets Palestinians at Gaza food sites

A Guardian investigation analyzed more than 30 videos from Gaza food distribution sites run by the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation over roughly 50 days. It pairs the footage with hospital records and interviews from doctors and aid workers to show a pattern of gunfire around the sites and along convoy routes. More than 2,000 Palestinians were injured, and dozens were declared dead on arrival at hospitals in Khan Younis and Rafah, according to hospital staff and the Red Cross. The Israeli military has said it fired on suspects and warned of potential danger, while the Gaza foundation and aid groups deny deliberate targeting of civilians. The UN estimates at least 1,373 Palestinians killed since 27 May, with many deaths occurring near food sites or along distribution routes.

The reporting highlights how humanitarian aid in a war zone can become a flashpoint for violence and a test of international norms. If verified, the findings raise questions about the balance between security measures and civilian protection, and about whether aid operations can be conducted impartially in such a volatile environment. The piece also underscores how competing narratives — official military statements, aid group denials, and independent analysis — can shape public understanding and policy responses. These dynamics place pressure on international institutions to demand accountability and to insist on safe access for relief workers.

Highlights

The human cost calls for urgent, credible oversight of aid delivery in conflict zones.