A new Associated Press (AP) report detailing how American contractors guarding aid distribution sites used live ammunition, stun grenades and pepper spray against starving Palestinians seeking food has sparked fierce criticism online.
Published on 2 July, the article is based on testimonies from two American contractors, videos, internal messages and forensic audio analysis. Both whistleblowers said they came forward due to what they described as “dangerous and irresponsible practices” at sites run by the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), the controversial US- and Israel-backed organisation operating in the besieged enclave.
Online reaction to the report was swift, with hundreds of people slamming the private military contractors and the distribution hubs.
“US mercenary criminal-thugs… GHF and the gang are killing machines in ‘humanitarian’ clothing”, wrote one X user.
Another X user called the operation a “sham” masking a “ruthless agenda”.
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A few people quoted the news agency’s description of the audio from one video: “At that moment, bursts of gunfire erupt close by, at least 15 shots. ‘Whoo! Whoo!’ one contractor yelps. ‘I think you hit one’, one says. Then comes a shout: ‘Hell, yeah, boy!”
While the clip does not show who was shooting, or where the shots were aimed, the contractor speaking to AP said their colleague was shooting in the direction of Palestinians at the aid point, and that they saw a man in that direction drop to the ground.
While some users praised the news agency for the report, others expressed frustration with its timing, which they same came too late.
“Yeah thanks AP, five weeks later and 600 people dead later #breakingnews”, one user posted.
Another said: “Palestinians have been telling you this is happening for weeks… Maybe you should start believing the victims of genocide over the ones committing it.”
‘When are you going to do something?’
Middle East Eye has reported on Israeli forces targeting Palestinian aid seekers since the GHF began operations in late May.
At least 600 Palestinians have been killed so far, and thousands more injured.
Eyewitnesses have described the incidents as “ambushes” carried out by the Israeli military.
Israeli troops have admitted to deliberately firing on unarmed Palestinians at the food distribution points, following direct orders from their superiors, according to a Haaretz report published last week.
A GHF subcontractor speaking to the AP denied that serious injuries had occurred at any of the aid sites.
But many on social media dismissed official denials by the GHF and its partners, instead pointing to accounts from Palestinians.
A video and photograph in the AP report shows at least one woman reportedly hit in the head with a stun grenade and another man in visible distress after being tear-gassed.
Social media users also raised alarm over the reported lack of oversight and qualifications among armed contractors operating at the aid sites.
“Last minute and unqualified contractors, untested weapons, little to no supervision, no rule of engagement,” lamented one user. “This is what you do when you have no value of lives you are engaging with.”
Others called on politicians to take action.
One user urged the leaders of the UK, Canada and France to respond to “war crimes” by Israel, saying in “the last last 20 months we’ve been absolutely inundated with many examples of them”.
“When are you going to act like leaders in the UN and do something?” they asked.
Others called for the GHF to be shut down.
“GHF no longer has ANY credibility. It has denied firing on civilians time and time again but it has been show to be true. GHF have repeatedly lied,” posted one user on X.
“They need to be shut down and proper aid practices put back in place.”
