Fact Check: 549 Palestinians killed waiting for food aid since May, including 93 by gunfire.

Fact Check: "549 Palestinians killed waiting for food aid since May, including 93 by gunfire."

What We Know

Since the establishment of the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF) on May 27, 2025, a significant number of Palestinians have reportedly been killed while attempting to access food aid. According to the Gaza Health Ministry, as of mid-June, 549 individuals have lost their lives in these circumstances, with 93 deaths attributed specifically to gunfire from Israeli forces as people approached aid distribution points or UN aid trucks (source-3, source-5). The GHF was created to replace the UN-led aid operations, which had been criticized for inefficiencies and alleged corruption involving Hamas (source-1).

The situation surrounding these aid distribution sites has been described as chaotic and dangerous, with reports of violence erupting frequently. Humanitarian organizations have condemned the conditions under which aid is being distributed, labeling the sites as "death traps" (source-1, source-6).

Analysis

The claim that 549 Palestinians have been killed while waiting for food aid, including 93 by gunfire, is supported by multiple credible sources. The Gaza Health Ministry's figures have been corroborated by various humanitarian organizations and media outlets (source-3, source-5).

The reports indicate that the violence is primarily attributed to the Israeli military's response to crowds gathering near the distribution points. The Israeli military has stated that they fired "warning shots" to disperse crowds they deemed threatening (source-1, source-6). However, eyewitness accounts and humanitarian reports suggest that many of the casualties were unarmed civilians, including children, who were merely attempting to secure food for their families (source-3, source-5).

The reliability of the sources reporting these figures is generally high, with major news organizations and humanitarian agencies involved in the reporting. However, the context of the conflict and the ongoing hostilities may introduce biases in how the events are portrayed. For instance, while the GHF claims to be acting in the interest of humanitarian aid, its operations have been criticized for exacerbating the risks faced by civilians (source-1, source-6).

Conclusion

The claim that 549 Palestinians were killed while waiting for food aid since May, including 93 by gunfire, is True. This conclusion is based on multiple corroborating reports from credible sources, including the Gaza Health Ministry and various humanitarian organizations. The evidence indicates that the violence is linked to the dangerous conditions surrounding the new aid distribution system and the actions of the Israeli military in response to civilian gatherings.

Fact Check: 549 Palestinians killed waiting for food aid since May, including 93 by gunfire.