Five individuals in Gaza succumbed to hunger within the past day, as reported by the region's health ministry.
In a shocking turn of events, the United Nations has reported that nearly 1,400 Palestinians have lost their lives while collecting aid in Gaza over the past few months. The aid distribution system, currently managed by the US- and Israeli-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), is under intense scrutiny.
The GHF operates only four main distribution sites under full Israeli military control, with private American armed contractors providing security. This system replaced the previous UN-led humanitarian response, which was dismantled after an 11-week Israeli blockade starting March 2025 severely restricted aid access. The GHF model forces Palestinians to travel across dangerous, destroyed terrain to these limited locations, creating dangerous bottlenecks.
Incidents of violence while collecting aid have been frequent and deadly. Since late May 2025, over 1,373 Palestinians seeking aid have been killed and thousands more injured near these GHF-operated sites and other aid convoy routes. The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF), armed gangs, and GHF-hired contractors have been implicated in firing on civilians trying to reach food supplies.
The Ministry of Health in Gaza reported that approximately 70% of those killed near aid distribution sites died at GHF locations, with many casualties caused by crowd crushes, gunfire, and looting violence. Human rights organizations like Human Rights Watch, Amnesty International, and the UN accuse the GHF system of violating humanitarian norms and potentially constituting war crimes, calling for its immediate dismantling to allow more humane, widespread, and safe aid delivery.
Meanwhile, on August 6, China is grappling with a chikungunya virus outbreak, with thousands of people falling ill. In a separate incident, a World War II bomb was discovered in Dresden, leading to evacuations.
In response to the criticism, Israel has stated that the GHF can operate independently in the distribution of aid. However, Israel has also mentioned that troops are operating in proximity to ensure food is delivered in an orderly fashion. The humanitarian crisis in Gaza is further compounded by the near-total blockade imposed by the Israeli government since March 2025, severely limiting the flow of food, fuel, and medical supplies into Gaza.
This report was contributed to by Samy Zyara, David Brennan, Somayeh Malekian, Diaa Ostaz, and Mary Kekatos.
- The international community, including Human Rights Watch, Amnesty International, and the United Nations, have accused the GHF's aid distribution system of potentially constituting war crimes, due to incidents of violence towards Palestinians, especially near their distribution sites.
- The near-total blockade imposed by the Israeli government since March 2025 has significantly impacted the health-and-wellness of Palestinians, limiting the flow of food, fuel, and medical supplies into Gaza.
- The Ministry of Health in Gaza reported that approximately 70% of those killed near aid distribution sites died at GHF locations, with many casualties caused by crowd crushes, gunfire, and looting violence, highlighting a need for improved mental-health support and nutritional aid.
- On a separate note, in August 6, China is facing a chikungunya virus outbreak, with thousands falling ill, while a World War II bomb was discovered in Dresden, leading to evacuations on the international travel front, demonstrating the importance of global cooperation in health issues and crisis management.
