Gaza aid guards shot Palestinian civilians and laughed, ex-contractor says

A former security contractor for the controversial Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF) has alleged that he witnessed colleagues repeatedly open fire on hungry Palestinian civilians who posed no threat.

Speaking anonymously to the BBC, the former contractor described serious misconduct and abuse by GHF security personnel at Gaza's so-called aid distribution sites, including an incident in which a crowd of women, children, and elderly people came under live fire.

At least one man was reportedly killed, with the shooters laughing afterwards.

The former worker, who claims to have been stationed at all four GHF sites in Gaza, said one guard fired from a watchtower because civilians were moving too slowly away from the distribution point.

"As that happened, another contractor on location, standing on the berm overlooking the exit, opened up with 15 to 20 shots of repetitive weapons fire at the crowd," he said.

"A Palestinian man dropped to the ground motionless. And then the other contractor who was standing there was like, 'damn, I think you got one'. And then they laughed about it," he added.

When the incident was reported, the former worker said GHF managers dismissed it, suggesting the man might have "tripped" or "passed out from exhaustion".

He claimed there were no formal rules of engagement or standard operating procedures in place, and that one team leader was told to "shoot to kill" if they felt even mildly threatened.

"If a Palestinian is walking away from the site and not demonstrating any hostile intent, and we're shooting warning shots at them regardless, we are wrong, we are criminally negligent," the ex-contractor told the BBC.

Culture of impunity

The ex-contractor also described seeing Palestinians harmed by stun grenade shrapnel, pepper spray, and razor wire. In one case, a woman may have been killed after being struck in the head by part of a stun grenade improperly fired into the crowd.

"This metal piece hit her directly in the head and she dropped to the ground, not moving," he said. "I don’t know if she was dead. I know for a fact she was unconscious and completely limp."

He described the culture among the security staff as lawless and dehumanising. "We're going into Gaza so it’s no rules. Do what you want," he recalled. Palestinians were commonly referred to as "zombie hordes".

Although the sites are reportedly monitored by CCTV, the contractor called GHF’s claim that no one had ever been hurt or shot "an absolute bare-faced lie".

GHF said in a statement to the BBC that the gunfire heard in some footage came from Israeli forces, who have previously targeted civilians gathered at aid points.

The foundation categorically denied the allegations, insisting that no civilians have come under fire at its sites. It claimed the whistleblower was a "disgruntled former contractor" dismissed for misconduct, a claim he denies. According to the BBC, the man provided documentation showing he left the role on good terms.

Use of live rounds confirmed by others

Other US contractors working for the GHF have also come forward. Speaking to the Associated Press, they confirmed that live ammunition and stun grenades were being used as hungry Palestinians scrambled for food. They said their colleagues regularly fired bullets "in all directions - into the air, into the ground, and at times toward Palestinians."

According to the United Nations, more than 500 Palestinians have been killed near GHF distribution sites since the operation began in May.

The organisation, backed by the United States and Israel, has faced mounting criticism for its methods, including forcing civilians, many weak from hunger, to walk long distances through active conflict zones to receive aid.

While the Israeli army has acknowledged that Palestinian civilians have been harmed at the sites, it denies deliberately targeting them.

The GHF alleges it has delivered over 52 million meals in five weeks and claims that most other humanitarian organisations operating in Gaza have had their aid looted.