On the morning of July 16th, 2025, at least 24 civilians, including two women and six children, were killed and dozens were wounded in a stampede at the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF) aid distribution centre known as Morag in the al-Hashash neighbourhood north of Rafah/south of Khan Younis, in the southern Gaza Strip. Multiple human rights organisations and eyewitnesses reported that US private security personnel contracted by the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, operating in coordination with Israeli forces, fired tear gas, pepper spray, sound bombs, and live ammunition into densely packed crowds of civilians waiting for food aid, triggering panic, suffocation, and a stampede in a narrow fenced corridor.

In statements posted to Twitter/X, the GHF blamed Hamas for the chaos that resulted in the death of 20 people, 19 of whom they say were trampled to death and one who they claim was stabbed. No other sources identified Hamas or the presence of any other armed groups or individuals. On the day of the incident, the Palestinian Center for Human Rights (PCHR) published an article attributing the harm to the ‘US private security forces’ working at the GHF site. The Euromedmonitor published an article claiming the same. All other sources – individuals in Gaza who shared reports of the event and tributes for their loved ones – attributed the violence to the Israeli military. At the time of publishing, the Israeli military had not released a statement regarding the incident. As a result, this incident has been recorded as ‘contested’. This will be updated should additional information become available.

Noted above, PCHR “condemned in the strongest terms the horrific crime committed by US private security forces contracted by the Gaza Humanitarian Relief Foundation (GHF) this morning, which resulted in the suffocation deaths of 18 civilians, including five children, and the injury of dozens more. Two civilians, including a woman, were also killed by Israeli forces near an aid distribution point in Rafah.” Within the same article, PCHR later refers to 19 killed by suffocation, so it is unclear which is their official toll. The Euro-Mediterranean Human Rights Monitor reported “the killing of 21 Palestinian civilians by suffocation with tear gas, underfoot, and bullets by American security forces working in direct coordination with the Israeli army, at an aid distribution point run by the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation in Rafah” while Al Mezan Center for Human Rights reported a toll of 20 killed and dozens injured. According to Al Mezan, the victims were brought to Nasser Hospital by animal-drawn carts and 17 had been identified at the time of reporting The Palestinian Ministry of Health, which was also quoted by Euro-Med provided a similar death toll of 21 and specified that 15 had died of suffocation from tear gas fired by Israeli forces and the stampede, while seven were shot with live ammunition.

Journalist Mohamed Awad provided the names of 25 people who had been reportedly killed (two of whom were killed in an earlier incident and have not been included, one has since been identified as a militant): 33-year-old Yasser Hassan Salman al-Malalha, 22-year-old Saqr Wael Ibrahim al-Batniji, 15-year-old Firas Faris Izzat Abu Jamea, Mahmoud Muhammad Salha,17-year-old Firas Ali Hassan al-Tahrawi, 14-year-old Walid Muhammad Abdul Aziz Dahir, 21-year-old Anas Nasrallah al-Tarabin, 31-year-old Jihad Fathi Marzouq al-Najjar, 35-year-old Karam Ismail al-Nawajha, 41-year-old Muhammad Mahmoud Abu Maarouf, 34-year-old Thaer Marei Muhammad al-Attar, 32-year-old Muhammad Yasser Rizq Abu Amra, 18-year-old Yazan Ayman Shahdeh Abu Shab, 19-year-old Alaa Maher Khalil Abu Taha (al-Hour), 14-year-old Ziad Muhammad Hilmi Barbakh, 71-year-old Daoud Jasser Barbakh, 19-year-old Muhammad Ayman Ahmed Ruqa, 17-year-old Obaida Nabil Farouk al-Jabri, 57-year-old Maryam Hamed Mohammed Abu Khatla, 16-year-old Mahmoud Nidal Ayesh al-Agha, 21-year-old Ahmed Mahmoud Obaid (Eid) Muharab, 25-year-old Firas Sami Othman al-Agha, and 22-year-old Mohammed Naji Abdullah al-Aqqad. PCHR specified that Maryam Hamed Mohammed Abu Khatla and Ahmed Mahmoud Obaid (Eid) Muharab had both been killed by Israeli forces. Multiple sources mentioned that the killed and injured were brought to Nasser Medical Complex.

On June 18, 2026, a Telegram account affiliated with Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ), published a tribute to an individual named Mahmoud Muhammad Salha, identifying him as a “martyred fighter”. Airwars reviewed the source, checking the image of the individual against images of Mahmoud Muhammad Salha who was reportedly killed in this strike. In doing so, Airwars determined that the individual named by PIJ did not match any of the individuals killed in this incident. As such, the civilian fatality numbers recorded in this incident remain unchanged. This will be updated should additional information become available.

Where possible, the names of the victims have been matched with the Palestinian Ministry of Health (MoH) lists, which include national ID numbers. Since October 26, 2023, the MoH has released a number of lists, along with an additional list of medical professionals, which was released on September 17, 2024. Airwars is matching individuals to the first list where their name appeared. In regard to this incident, names are matched to the eleventh “Palestinian Ministry of Health List of Fatalities in Gaza”, which was released on August 4, 2025.

According to the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, “20 people were killed during a massive stampede that occurred at an aid distribution area in the city.” Its statement claimed that “19 people were trampled to death as a result of the sudden outbreak of chaos,” while another person died after being stabbed. The Foundation attributed responsibility to Hamas, with the statement being quoted by the U.S. ambassador to the UN, Dorothy Shea, who said  that “The GHF stated it confiscated weapons at the site and has credible reason to believe that elements within the crowd – armed and affiliated with Hamas – deliberately fomented the unrest.”

This account was disputed by Palestinian officials and witnesses. Mahmoud Basal, a spokesman for the Civil Defense Authority in Gaza, asserted that the deaths were caused by Israeli gunfire and tear gas during a stampede that followed the closure of the main gates to thousands of hungry civilians gathered since dawn in the al-Tina area. “We transported at least 20 martyrs and a large number of wounded, including children and women, to Nasser Hospital in Khan Yunis after the [Israeli] forces opened fire and sprayed tear gas on the crowds searching for food,” Basal said. He stated that Israeli forces targeted civilians as they gathered, causing the deadly crush.

The Euro-Mediterranean Human Rights Monitor reported that the incident unfolded in two stages. The first occurred around 4:00 a.m., when Israeli forces opened fire on thousands of civilians assembled on al-Tina Street, coinciding with the unloading of food aid trucks, which resulted in deaths and injuries. Despite the gunfire and casualties, many remained, having been told distribution would begin at 6:00 a.m.

The second stage, according to Euro-Med Monitor, began at 6:20 a.m. when crowds surged toward the outer gate to the distribution point amidst severe overcrowding and the closure of the inner gate. Instead of crowd control, members of the American special security force reportedly fired sound bombs, tear gas, and pepper spray into the trapped civilians, causing panic. Some tried to jump into the distribution point to escape, but were reportedly shot. The Euro-Med Monitor team’s review showed several bodies had no bullet wounds, supporting the narrative that some died from suffocation or crushing in the closed, overcrowded space.

Survivor Abdul Rahman B told Euro-Med Monitor that “At approximately 6:15 a.m., a quadcopter arrived and informed us that the distribution point had been opened and asked us to head to the gates. People rushed frantically toward the entrances. When we arrived, we found the inner door closed. There was a heavy presence of American forces with employees speaking Arabic. They asked us to step back 50 meters and enter in groups of no more than 100, but the crowding was so intense that retreat was impossible. Minutes later, they started firing sound bombs, then tear gas and pepper spray. People were confused and suffocated. Some tried to climb the wires to escape, but the snipers shot them. Those who fell to the ground couldn’t get up and were trampled. I saw women and children among the victims, and we managed to escape over the dead bodies lying there.”

Al Mezan spoke with a 17-year-old boy referred to as M.Z., who lives in a tent in Mawasi and was at the distribution point when the incident occurred: “At around 5:00 a.m., I went with my cousin (Z. N.) to the al-Tina Street area to go to the American aid distribution point in the Morag area, south of Khan Yunis. After we arrived, we sat at the end of a street called Lemon Street, which is the only road leading to the Morag point, and is about a kilometer and a half away from the distribution point. Suddenly, there was shooting from an Israeli tank that was stationed in the middle of the street. At around 6:30 a.m. on the same day, the tank withdrew, which meant that the distribution point was open and people could cross the street and go inside the point to obtain aid. Indeed, my cousin and I ran at top speed towards the point. There were huge numbers of people heading to obtain aid. When we arrived at the main gate, we were crowded between the fence as if it were a milking machine for inspection. We were surprised after our arrival when the American soldiers closed the gate before we entered, and they fired pepper gas at us. Then, a stampede and collision occurred among the people, and many of us fell on the ground. The ground, especially the children, was underfoot. People were trampled underfoot by the crowding and jostling, and no one was able to rescue them. Everyone wanted to get away from the gas and, at the same time, get aid. After that, we opened the gate that the American soldiers had forcibly closed and entered the distribution point. I took some legumes and cooking oil and put them in an empty flour bag that I always take with me. People crowded around me as I sat on the ground searching for some 1-kilo bags of flour. I felt extremely suffocated, so I immediately grabbed the bag I had placed in which I had placed some of the food and shouted at the people above me to get me out. After the jostling and shouting, I was able to get out. As I was outside, near the main gate, I saw about 15 people lying on the ground, some of whom were motionless, and others whom people were trying to help. I grabbed the bag I had with me and returned home, feeling extremely exhausted.”

Muhammad Hamada Fawzi Za’rab (20), from Khan Yunis, told PCHR that “At approximately 4:00 a.m., I left the displacement area on Street 5 in Mawasi with relatives and walked to the American aid center near al-Tina Street. At 6:10 a.m., we no longer heard gunfire from Israeli soldiers. I ran with hundreds toward the center along a corridor about 3 meters wide and 150 meters long. The crowding was severe. Before reaching the gate, some fell, and others fell on top of them. I saw American soldiers throwing three sound bombs and spraying pepper gas. I was among those who fell, along with my relative Ramadan Omar Za’rab, 19. I was unable to breathe. Then the gate opened, and the citizens continued walking. They climbed over us and entered the aid center. After about a quarter of an hour, a number of citizens carried and extracted those who had fallen to the ground. They transported me and my relative Ramadan to Nasser Hospital via a donkey-drawn cart, along with three others. Others were transported in a tuk-tuk. In the reception area, my condition improved. A nurse administered an IV to my relative Ramadan Za’arub and gave him several injections. After that, his condition improved.”

Islam Nahed Mustafa Shahwan (26), also from Khan Yunis, recalled to PCHR his experience going to the distribution point with his brother Muntaser Nahed Mustafa Shahwan and other relatives: “At approximately 3:00 a.m., I left with my brother Muntaser, 36, and six of my relatives from our displacement site on Rashid Street, near the Karza rest stop in the Mawasi area of Khan Yunis. We walked to the American aid center from al-Tina Street and the Lemon Orchard (Turkish Slaughterhouse Street), south of Khan Yunis. We arrived at approximately 4:00 a.m. Soldiers were firing around us as we took cover with thousands of other civilians behind trees and rubble or lying on the ground. At approximately 5:30 a.m., a woman in her fifties was shot next to me with a bullet in her forehead, which exited the back of her head and left a large hole in her skull. She died instantly. Some citizens carried her out of the area. At approximately 6:00 a.m., the shooting stopped.” Some citizens were seen raising a green flag to let people know that the distribution center had been opened. Hundreds of citizens ran quickly towards the aid center through a narrow road, about 3.5 meters wide and 150 meters long, with a gate at the end in front of the aid center. In a few minutes, the narrow road (corridor) was filled with citizens. The situation was chaotic and everyone was crowding. An American soldier placed an electric shock stick on the fence, and other American soldiers threw about 4 sound bombs at the citizens and sprayed them with pepper gas. The crowding increased, and dozens of them fell to the ground, and others were trampled on. Among those who fell was my brother Muntaser, 36 years old. However, a citizen helped him stand up and pulled him out from underfoot. Then we took him and walked with him to the outside of the corridor. I then saw a crowding in which there were about seven bodies of citizens who had suffocated from the crowding and fallen to the ground. We did not find a means of transportation to return to our tent, so we walked until we reached it. My brother Muntaser was enduring the pain. After several hours, we called, and an ambulance arrived and transported him to Nasser Hospital in Khan Yunis. He was found to have bruises and contusions in his chest and difficulty breathing.”

Multiple people on social media mourned the victims of the incident, sharing photographs, recounting personal memories, and offering prayers.

Tributes were shared for Jamal Muammar “Jamoula” and Saqr Al-Batniji “Ayad”, described as “the best young men of our neighbourhood”.

Mahmoud Muhammad Salha was mourned in a post by his “friend and brother,” Mahmoud Abu El Reesh, who included two images of Mahmoud, one from before his death, where he is pictured wearing a blue shirt, and the other a graphic picture taken after his death. He was a young man with large dark eyes, short curly hair and a short trimmed beard.

Dr Nabeel [al-Hour] mourned family member Alaa Maher Khalil Abu Taha, who was initially killed, and then four other family members who were subsequently killed when their house of mourning for Alaa Maher was bombed (assessed separately in ISPT160725m). In his image on the website “Genocide in Gaza”, Alaa is seen as a young man with short-styled hair, wearing a grey hoodie.

Maryam Hamed Abu Khatla, wife of Ziad Suleiman Zayed Abu Khatla, was remembered on the “Abu Khatla clan in the homeland and diaspora” Facebook page.

Multiple tributes remembered Mahmoud Nidal al-Agha, who was “suffocated by American aid”, praying for him to “be granted the highest place in Paradise”. Another post gave his full name, Mahmoud Nidal Ayesh Hussein Musa Hussein al-Agha, noting his age (16 years, 7 months, and 19 days) and offering extended prayers. The post noted the location of his death as Al-Satr Al-Gharbi – Al-Bahr Street.

The Agha family also mourned Firas Sami Othman Tabasi Asaad Badawi Ahmed Ibrahim (Badawi) Agha, noting his age as 25 years, 11 months, and 16 days. Another Facebook post included images of the funeral for Firas, where men can be seen digging a hole and reflecting around the grave site.

Grief was also expressed for Ahmed Mahmoud Muharab, with loved ones calling him both “my cousin” and “my brother and friend.” Several posts repeated his name and offered prayers for him.

Mohammed Naji Abdullah al-Aqqad was remembered in several tributes referring to him as “my dear brother” or “our family member.” Images of Mohammed al-Aqqad’s deceased body on a stretcher and wrapped in a white shroud were shared by loved ones, as well as an image of him from before his death wearing a navy blue suit with a red tie.

Condolences were offered to the family of Anas Nasrallah al-Tarabin, a nurse. Relatives referred to him as “my dear nephew” and “the wise,” expressing pride in his service and sorrow at his loss.

The al-Najjar family mourned Jihad Fathi Marzouq al-Najjar, described as “a young family member” and “a moon of the Eastern Satellites”. The young man Jihad is pictured in a red t-shirt with black stripes.

Two posts honoured Karam Ismail Hassan al-Nawajha “Abu Ismail”, who was described as “my cousin and older brother” and “the beloved son of the family,” with prayers for Paradise. Images shared by loved ones show Karam in a brown leather jacket and a red polo shirt, smiling at the camera in both pictures.

Yazan Ayman Shahdeh Abu Shab was mourned in a short post announcing his death, which included an image of him in a red shirt.

Friends and relatives expressed deep grief over Muhammad Yasser Rizq Abu Amra “Abu Youssef”, with one post describing the news as “like a thunderbolt” and lamenting that “you broke our hearts.”

Several posts remembered Thaer Marei Muhammad al-Attar, including those from his brother and friends, who prayed for him. In his image on the website “Genocide in Gaza”, he is seen wearing a striped yellow-brown T-shirt. He was a young man with short dark hair and a mustache.

Condolences were also shared for Yasser al-Malalha, with the Bani Amer al-Malalha Youth Council extending prayers and solidarity to the bereaved family. In his profile photo on the website “Genocide in Gaza”, Yasser is seen as a slender young man wearing a turquoise T-shirt, standing in nature.

Multiple tributes were posted for Firas Ali Hassan al-Tahrawi, a player for al-Bureij Services Club and the Palestine U18 national team. Friends referred to him as “Qamar al-Bureij” (the moon of al-Bureij) and “a martyr for livelihood” in reference to being killed while seeking food. His father, Ali al-Tahrawi, received condolences from friends and neighbours. In the photo shared on the website “Genocide in Gaza”, he is seen sitting on a bike outdoors, wearing a black T-shirt and blue trousers.

Several posts mourned the loss of relatives from the Barbakh family, including Daoud Jaser Barbakh, known as “Abu Akram,” and Ziad Barbakh, both referred to as “two new moons joining the constellation of martyrs. The elderly Daoud is pictured in a kufi and red vest, while the young Ziad is pictured in olive green pants and a white t-shirt.

A cousin of Ziad Barbakh recalled details of what happened at the aid distribution: “They herded people in and fired tear gas canisters at them,” adding that “We were running. We reached the gate, and it was closed, and people started to push each other. Tear gas was fired. People suffocated and people fell and people started to trample on each other. About 30 to 40 martyrs died. The Americans were firing tear gas and black pepper like tear gas bombs. There were more than 3 to 4,000 people, but they crammed them all in at the entrance to the people’s gate. You go there. People want to eat. The crossings are closed and everything is closed. They were firing black pepper at us and cramming people in and making them push each other so that they die. This is what they do. I came here on foot.” Family members can be seen crying over the body of the young boy Ziad and saying their final good-byes, including a very distressed young boy.

A video published by Abdallah Alattar showed four men carrying the body of a young man who “succumbed to his injuries after the [Israeli] forces fired tear gas canisters at civilians in the humanitarian aid area west of Rafah”. One of the men carrying the body can be heard saying, “They didn’t open the door and wouldn’t let us in to get aid. People started jumping on the gates, and this person suffocated. The Palestinian people are dying for a little flour to eat and feed their families,” adding that he didn’t know who the deceased young man was. In another video published by Abdallah Alattar, a truck filled with at least 10 young men, some injured and some deceased, can be seen arriving at the hospital.

In a recorded testimony published on Facebook by “Sabra neighborhood gate”, Munir al-Ayadi, visibly shaken, described saving dozens from suffocation: “When we arrived, people were on top of each other. Some said the gate was open, others said it was closed, but there were so many in front that people pushed each other. I saw dead people and people walking on them — about thirty dead… People are dying, and others are walking on their bodies…. Where is the conscience of the people? Today I saw a heartbreaking scene”.

At the time of the report, multiple eyewitnesses and human rights organisations consistently alleged that US private security forces contracted by the Gaza Humanitarian Relief Foundation, in coordination with Israeli forces in the area, were responsible for firing tear gas, pepper spray, sound bombs, and, in some accounts, live ammunition at civilians gathered for aid. The Gaza Humanitarian Relief Foundation issued a statement attributing the deadly crush and suffocations to chaos and actions by Hamas-affiliated armed individuals — a claim disputed by Palestinian officials and rights groups.