Gaza aid stations horror as children killed or injured in half of attacks

Children have been killed or injured in over half of the “dystopian horror show” fatal attacks at food distribution sites since the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation took over. Horrifying statistics emerged after UK-based Save the Children analysed reports from the Gaza Media Office and the UN on casualties at GHF aid points since May 27.

They found that in 19 deadly incidents children were among the casualties in ten of them, representing more than half of all of the shootings at GHF centres. Another 33 Palestinians died yesterday (June 25) whilst waiting at food sites near Netzarim Junction, in Central Gaza, although it is not known if they were GHF sites. Palestinians are dying in Gaza at the rate of between 50 and 100 a-day

It comes as it has emerged more than 56,000 Palestinians in Gaza have been killed during the war triggered by Hamas’ attack on southern Israel, on October 72023. Now, Save the Children says. Families are so desperate or lacking a healthy adult that they send children to collect food at aid points, exposing them to being shot by troops.

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Since May 27 over 500 Palestinians have been killed and at least 3,000 injured by Israeli forces either at or en route to GHF distribution points - , or while approaching the few other aid convoys delivered by the UN or Charities.

The October 7 attacks killed 1,195 people, including 736 Israeli civilians, 36 of which were children. This week seven soldiers in the Israeli Defence Force were killed by Hamas. Save the Childrenstaff member Mohamed, who has changed his name for his own security, said his neighbour, a father of four, had no choice but to go to a distribution as his family had run out of food and money.

In Rafahand was shot and killed. Mohamad is now trying to help his neighbour’s widow; he says she is now destitute and traumatised – her children crying all the time.

Another staffer, Abdallah, also not his real name, said that a member of his extended family went to a distribution site this month and witnessed a man shot and left bleeding on the ground. He said people were running over the injured man, trying to get to the food, with no one able to stop and help.

Save the Children’s Regional Director for the Middle East, North Africa and Eastern Europe, Ahmad Alhendawi, said: “No-one wants to get aid from these distribution points and who can blame them – it's a death sentence. People are terrified of being killed.

“One colleague told us today that even though his family is down to eating one meal a day, he won’t go to a GHF distribution, because he believes his life is worth more than a bag of flour.

“And to add to the dystopian horror show, children are also being killed and injured trying to reach aid – aid they have a right to.

“Other families tell us they are now too weak to compete to pick up food. What is happening here is nothing short of abhorrent. No child should be killed searching for food. This is not a humanitarian operation – it’s a death trap.

“Forcing civilians into fenced-in zones only for them to be gunned down is the opposite of humanitarian – it’s inhumane. And it is not the only option. There is an established humanitarian aid system which must be allowed to function.”