An Investigation Has Revealed That US Contractors Are Deliberately Killing Palestinians Trying To Get Aid In Gaza
Videos showed chaotic scenes, with hundreds of desperate Palestinians crowded between metal gates to reach aid, with the sound of gunfire, stun grenades and pepper spray being deployed.
An investigation by the Associated Press has revealed that American contractors, as well as Israeli forces, are shooting and killing Palestinians trying to reach aid from the controversial US- and Israeli-backed aid agency the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF).
After blocking all aid from entering Gaza for more than 80 days, Israel allowed GHF to become responsible for aid distribution in the strip to replace UN-coordinated aid efforts, which Israel claimed Hamas was looting.
The UN and other international aid agencies have refused to work with GHF as it delivers aid in small centralized “secure distribution sites,” which are heavily guarded by private security firms, including American contractors, making it hard for people to reach.
Two American contractors, speaking anonymously to AP, described the security practices as dangerous and irresponsible, saying that many guards were untrained, unvetted, heavily armed and sometimes referred to Palestinians as "zombie hordes."
They said bullets, stun grenades and pepper spray were used at nearly every distribution, even if there was no threat.
Many security staff were also reportedly hired days before deployment, with little to no combat experience or weapons training but were equipped with all sorts of weapons.
Videos provided by the contractors showed chaotic scenes, with hundreds of desperate Palestinians crowded between metal gates to reach aid, with the sound of gunfire, stun grenades and pepper spray being deployed.
The contractors described instances where bullets were fired in all directions, including at the ground, in the air and at times toward the crowd, with at least one instance where someone may have been hit.
In one video, contractors can be heard discussing how to disperse the crowd and congratulating each other after bursts of gunfire.
The investigation also revealed that contractors and Israeli soldiers monitored crowds using facial recognition and real-time surveillance technology.
GHF and Israeli forces denied killing Palestinians at aid distribution sites, saying that the AP investigation was “entirely unfounded” and that any violence used was necessary security measures or actions outside their direct control.
Since GHF began operations on May 26, more than 751 Palestinians have been killed and 4,931 were injured while trying to reach aid.
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