Al Jazeera: Gaza Aid Workers Killed in Attack
The Gaza Humanitarian Foundation's accusations against Hamas have sparked a heated debate about the distribution of aid in Gaza, with the US and Israel backing the GHF's efforts, while the UN and other aid groups have raised concerns about its independence and humanitarian standards.
A US-backed aid group, the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, has accused Hamas of killing at least 5 staff members and wounding others in an attack on a bus carrying aid workers in southern Gaza, sparking concerns for the safety of aid workers in the region.
The bus was traveling to a food distribution centre when it was "brutally attacked" on Wednesday, according to the foundation. The group condemned the attack, calling it "heinous and deliberate" and said it was an attack on humanity. The incident comes as the foundation reported that 57 people were killed and over 363 injured while trying to access aid at its distribution sites on Wednesday.
The Gaza Humanitarian Foundation has been at the centre of controversy since its establishment, with the UN and aid groups boycotting it over concerns about its independence and humanitarian standards. The US and Israel back the GHF, saying it will prevent aid from being stolen by Hamas, but the UN disputes this, and Hamas denies stealing aid. The foundation's mechanism for distributing aid has been marred by controversy and violence, with deadly incidents happening near its hubs almost every day.
The attack has raised concerns about the safety of aid workers in Gaza, where the humanitarian situation remains dire. The incident has also highlighted the challenges faced by aid groups in the region, with the GHF's operation being criticized by the UN and other aid organizations for contravening humanitarian principles.