At Least 20 Killed in Gaza Aid Site Stampede

At least 20 Palestinians were killed in a crowd crush at an aid distribution site run by the Israeli- and US-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF) in Khan Younis, southern Gaza. The GHF alleged that armed agitators affiliated with Hamas deliberately fomented unrest, causing a chaotic surge, while Palestinian health officials reported that tear gas fired into the crowd led to suffocation and a stampede. Conflicting accounts remain, with the GHF denying responsibility for firing tear gas and Hamas blaming the aid group for locking gates and causing the deadly congestion. Hundreds of deaths have been reported near GHF-run sites since late May, leading to criticism from the UN and humanitarian organizations about the foundation's management, crowd control, and insufficient distribution points. The Israeli military, which usually positions outside these sites, has denied direct responsibility for this incident but has acknowledged civilian harm in previous events. The ongoing violence coincides with Israeli strikes in Gaza, which have killed dozens, including children, as tensions remain high in the region.