Whistleblower Claims Security Contractors Fired on Unarmed Palestinians at Gaza Aid Centers

A former security contractor alleges that colleagues fired on unarmed Palestinians seeking food at Israeli and U.S.-backed distribution points.

Whistleblower Claims Security Contractors Fired on Unarmed Palestinians at Gaza Aid Centers

By TheNationWeek.Com

July 4, 2025

GAZA STRIP – A former security contractor who worked at the newly established Israeli and US-backed aid distribution centers in Gaza has claimed that colleagues fired on unarmed Palestinians seeking food.

In an interview with the BBC, the contractor, who spoke on condition of anonymity, detailed a chaotic and dangerous environment, contradicting official accounts of safe and effective aid delivery.

His most alarming claim involves a guard allegedly opening fire from a watchtower with a machine gun on a crowd of women, children, and the elderly, allegedly because they were not moving away from the area quickly.

The accusations stand in stark contrast to the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation’s (GHF) staunch denial.

The GHF, which began operating in Gaza at the end of May after an 11-week blockade, has insisted that no civilians have ever been shot at their distribution sites.

However, the aid distribution system itself has faced widespread criticism for forcing vulnerable individuals to navigate active combat zones to access desperately needed supplies.

The UN and local medical professionals have reported that over 400 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli forces while attempting to collect food from these sites.

While Israel defends the system as a necessary measure to prevent aid from reaching Hamas, the contractor’s account paints a far more troubling picture.

Beyond the alleged shooting incidents, the whistleblower described a “lawless” atmosphere at the GHF sites, characterized by a lack of clear rules of engagement.

He recounted another instance where a contractor fired multiple rounds into a crowd, resulting in a Palestinian man collapsing.

When reported to GHF management, the contractor claimed his concerns were dismissed as coincidental, with the suggestion that the man might have simply fallen or fainted.

The GHF has dismissed the whistleblower as a disgruntled former employee terminated for misconduct.

However, the contractor refuted this claim, providing evidence of continued payment after his alleged departure.

He further detailed a culture where contractors were allegedly instructed to shoot if they felt threatened, operating under the belief that “there are no rules in Gaza.”

The contractor also raised concerns about the use of less-lethal weapons, alleging that Palestinians were harmed by debris from stun grenades, sprayed with mace, and pushed into razor wire.

He recalled witnessing serious injuries, including a woman struck in the head by a metal fragment from a stun grenade.

The gravity of these allegations has prompted a response from the humanitarian community.

Over 170 charities and non-governmental organizations, including Oxfam and Save the Children, have issued a joint call for the closure of the GHF, citing frequent reports of Israeli forces and armed groups opening fire on those seeking aid.

Israel has denied the claims, maintaining that their military actions are not aimed at aid recipients and that the GHF is effectively delivering assistance while circumventing Hamas interference.

The GHF claims to have provided over 52 million meals in five weeks.

However, the allegations of a former insider, coupled with documented reports of civilian casualties, raise serious questions about the safety and efficacy of the current aid distribution system in Gaza.

As the Israeli military continues its operations following the Oct. 7 attack by Hamas, the need for a safe, transparent, and accountable aid delivery mechanism is more critical than ever.

The concerns raised by the whistleblower demand a thorough and independent investigation to ensure the protection of vulnerable Palestinians seeking life-saving assistance.