Associated Press: American gunmen at GHF fire on Palestinians in Gaza
GAZA, July 03 (YPA) – American security personnel at Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF) aid distribution sites are shooting at Palestinians waiting for aid, amid a rise in casualties in these areas, American contractors told the Associated Press.
The contractors expressed their dismay at what they described as irresponsible behavior, noting that the security personnel are often untrained or unqualified, but are heavily armed and have discretion. They confirmed that their colleagues regularly used sound bombs and pepper spray, in addition to shooting in all directions, including at Palestinians.
The contractors also indicated that American workers monitor aid seekers and document those they consider suspicious, sharing this information with the Israeli military.
Videos showed hundreds of Palestinians rushing to receive aid amid tense conditions filled with gunfire and stun grenades.
GHF, an American organization established in February to distribute aid, faces accusations of daily Israeli forces firing on aid seekers at distribution centers, resulting in hundreds of deaths and injuries, according to medical sources and witnesses.
A spokesperson for the organization denied these allegations, citing “personal interests” seeking to obstruct their work. He emphasized that the organization’s team consists of experienced professionals in relief, logistics, and security, with deep field experience, and that the organization has distributed more than 50 million meals and treated the people of Gaza with “utmost compassion.”
However, one of the contractors who documented the video said he saw his colleagues firing at Palestinians who were leaving after collecting their food, even after the crowds had receded. Although the video does not clearly show who was firing or who was being targeted, the cameraman reported seeing a person fall to the ground about 55 meters away in the direction of the gunfire.
Other videos showed men in gray uniforms (described by the photographer as his colleagues) trying to disperse Palestinians crammed into a narrow corridor using pepper spray and stun grenades, as gunfire could be heard.
These testimonies come as the Ministry of Health in Gaza Strip announced that the number of victims at aid distribution centers through the US-Israeli mechanism has risen to 640 martyrs and 4,488 injured since its launch on May 27.
YPA