Israel’s Military Advocate General has launched an investigation into potential war crimes following reports that Israeli forces intentionally fired on Palestinian civilians near aid distribution points in Gaza, according to Haaretz. The investigation follows claims by unnamed Israeli soldiers that they were instructed to use lethal force, even against individuals who posed no apparent threat.
The Israeli military has not formally responded to the report, though a spokesperson said efforts were being made to reduce friction with civilians and that new orders were issued to ground troops after previous incidents. A special military unit has now been tasked with reviewing potential violations of international law related to these events.
Since late May, Gaza health authorities report over 500 fatalities near aid distribution zones, some run by the U.S.-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF) or expected to receive UN food convoys. The military has previously said it used warning shots to disperse crowds but has not published findings from ongoing reviews.
The situation escalated further when an Israeli airstrike killed 18 people in Deir al-Balah as they gathered to receive flour from a local police unit. Witnesses said the unit was distributing aid recovered from looters and corrupt merchants. Hospital officials confirmed the deaths, including that of a child and at least seven members of the Sahm security unit.
The GHF has temporarily shut down all its aid sites amid the increasing violence, though it says operations will resume without specifying a timeline. Humanitarian efforts have been severely hindered by both Israeli restrictions and internal chaos, including looting and overcrowding at aid locations.
In response, a tribal coalition in Gaza has begun escorting aid convoys in an attempt to prevent theft and ensure supplies reach civilians. However, it’s unclear whether this initiative is coordinated with international agencies or Israeli authorities.
Meanwhile, Israeli officials accuse Hamas of diverting aid, a claim that the UN and humanitarian groups reject. Israel has begun shifting its support toward GHF, a U.S. private contractor, to manage food distribution, especially in Gaza’s southern areas. But aid access remains fraught, with thousands of Palestinians crossing dangerous zones — where witnesses claim Israeli troops often fire to manage crowds.
Palestinian health officials say more than 800 people died in Israeli attacks during the recent 12-day conflict with Iran, deepening the humanitarian crisis amid widespread hunger and displacement in Gaza.
