Since the outbreak of war in October 2023, Gaza has faced a severe humanitarian crisis, with over 57,000 Palestinians reported killed amid escalating food shortages.

In response to this crisis, the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), backed by the U.S. and Israel, began its operations in May 2025, aiming to provide aid amidst the turmoil.

Despite receiving $30 million from the U.S. government for humanitarian efforts, GHF's operations have been marred by controversy due to the involvement of armed security personnel.

The use of aggressive crowd control tactics has raised serious concerns, especially given the high number of casualties among Palestinians seeking aid.

Videos and testimonies from aid distribution sites depict chaotic scenes where security personnel frequently deployed stun grenades and pepper spray to manage desperate crowds.

American contractors guarding these sites have reported using live ammunition and stun grenades against Palestinians seeking food, highlighting dangerous practices in these operations.

Internal reports reveal that injuries occurred during nearly a third of aid distributions, although they were classified as non-serious by the logistics company involved.

Contractors have described a haphazard rollout of security personnel, many of whom lacked proper training, leading to unsafe conditions at these distribution sites.

Two anonymous contractors expressed alarm over the unqualified, heavily armed security staff, noting instances of live bullets being fired into crowds.

Concerns have also been raised about intelligence gathering practices, as security personnel were instructed to photograph individuals deemed suspicious among aid seekers.

While the Israeli military claims it only fires warning shots and is investigating incidents of civilian harm, the reality on the ground paints a different picture.

The chaotic environment at distribution sites has been exacerbated by looting and violence, as desperate crowds jostle for limited food aid.