Attack Targets Gaza Humanitarian Foundation Site Amid Ongoing Humanitarian Crisis
Rafah, Gaza | June 1, 2025 — At least 30 Palestinian civilians were killed and more than 100 injured in an Israeli airstrike near an aid distribution point in Rafah, Gaza, on Sunday. The attack reportedly struck an area operated by the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), a U.S. and Israeli-backed agency tasked with providing aid to displaced residents.
The strike occurred as hundreds of people gathered to receive essential food, water, and medicine. Eyewitnesses say the area was crowded with families when explosions suddenly erupted, creating chaos and panic.
“We were standing in line for aid when the bomb hit. People were screaming, running in all directions. I saw children under the debris,” said Mohammed Salem, a resident of Rafah who survived the strike.
According to local officials, many of the victims were women and children. Civil defense teams and emergency medical responders rushed to the scene, pulling victims from the rubble and transporting the injured to nearby field hospitals.
GHF Under Scrutiny
The Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, launched in early 2025, has been controversial due to its use of biometric ID checks and controlled distribution points. While it claims to ensure aid is not diverted to militants, several aid groups have raised concerns over transparency, efficiency, and safety.
Just days earlier, three civilians were reportedly killed and dozens injured during crowd control efforts at another GHF distribution site. The foundation denied any wrongdoing, while the Israeli military admitted to firing warning shots “to manage unrest” at the gate.
Humanitarian watchdogs like Human Rights Watch and Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) criticized the design of these distribution centers, saying they place civilians in harm’s way.
Israel Yet to Respond
As of publishing, Israel’s military had not issued an official statement on the Rafah strike. Previous statements have defended similar operations, claiming militants attempt to use aid zones as shields or diversion points. However, there was no immediate evidence to support such claims in this incident.
Israel’s coordination with the U.S. and UAE to supply aid through GHF was meant to reduce civilian casualties and maintain some stability in Gaza, but Sunday’s strike has reignited criticism of those arrangements.
Global Outcry
The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UN OCHA) expressed alarm, stating:
“The attack on civilians gathered for aid is a grave violation of international humanitarian law. All parties must ensure the safety of civilians and humanitarian personnel.”
Protests erupted in several cities across the Arab world, including Amman, Cairo, and Istanbul. Online, #RafahMassacre and #AidNotWar began trending globally, with activists demanding international intervention.
Context of Escalation
This attack comes amid renewed Israeli operations in Gaza following intensified rocket fire from militant factions. Since October 2023, more than 54,000 Palestinians have been killed and over 90% of the population displaced. With water and electricity cut in many areas, humanitarian efforts remain the only lifeline for civilians.
The Biden administration has called for a “thorough investigation,” while reiterating Israel’s right to self-defense. Meanwhile, Egypt and Qatar are pushing for a temporary ceasefire and emergency humanitarian corridor.
Voices from the Ground
Many in Gaza feel they have been abandoned by the world.
“We wait in lines for hours just to get flour and clean water. And now even those lines are targets,” said Fatema Abu Khair, a teacher turned aid volunteer. “We’re told the world is watching—but watching isn’t saving us.”
