Fact Check: "At least 300 Palestinians killed in three weeks while seeking food aid."
What We Know
Recent reports indicate that the ongoing conflict in Gaza has resulted in significant casualties among Palestinians, particularly those seeking food aid. According to the Hamas-run Gaza health ministry, at least 300 Palestinians have been killed and over 2,600 wounded near aid distribution sites since the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF) began operations on May 26, 2025. This claim is supported by various sources, including a report from Reuters, which states that the health ministry reported 397 fatalities among those trying to obtain food aid as of June 17, 2025.
Additionally, the BBC reported that at least 30 Palestinians were killed by Israeli gunfire near aid distribution sites, emphasizing the dangers faced by those attempting to access food. The situation has been described as dire, with the UN human rights chief condemning Israel's military tactics as inflicting "horrifying, unconscionable suffering" on the Palestinian population (source-2).
Analysis
The evidence supporting the claim that at least 300 Palestinians have been killed while seeking food aid is substantial and comes from multiple credible sources. The Hamas-run Gaza health ministry is a primary source of casualty figures, although it is essential to consider potential biases in reporting from organizations affiliated with Hamas. However, independent reports from Reuters and the BBC corroborate these figures, indicating a broader consensus on the severity of the situation.
Moreover, the Middle East Eye reported that at least 338 civilians had been killed in similar circumstances, further validating the claim. The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) have contested some of these figures, attributing violence to Hamas and asserting that their troops fired warning shots at individuals they perceived as threats (source-2). However, the consistent reporting of high casualty numbers from various independent sources suggests that the situation is as dire as reported.
The reliability of the sources is generally high, with established news organizations like Reuters and the BBC providing thorough coverage of the conflict. However, the lack of access for international news organizations to Gaza complicates verification efforts, as noted in the reports (source-2).
Conclusion
Verdict: True
The claim that at least 300 Palestinians have been killed in three weeks while seeking food aid is supported by multiple credible sources, including reports from the Gaza health ministry, Reuters, and the BBC. The consistency of these reports, despite potential biases, indicates a significant humanitarian crisis in Gaza, with many casualties occurring in the context of seeking essential food aid.
Sources
- Israeli tanks kill 59 people in Gaza crowd trying to get food ...
- Dozens killed by Israeli fire near Gaza aid sites, Hamas-run ...
- Fifty killed in Gaza, many trying to reach food, as UN ...
- At least 51 Palestinians killed while waiting for aid trucks in ...
- More than 330 Palestinians killed by Israel since start of lethal US ...
- Families mourn loved ones seeking food killed by Israeli forces at Gaza ...
