Context:

A stampede at a food distribution center in southern Gaza resulted in at least 20 deaths, highlighting the ongoing crisis at aid sites managed by the Israeli-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation. Conflicting reports emerged regarding the cause of the stampede, with the Gazan health ministry blaming tear gas and the aid group citing armed agitators. The incident adds to a grim tally of approximately 700 deaths since late May, as desperate Palestinians face dangerous conditions while seeking food aid. The foundation, tasked with food distribution amidst an Israeli blockade, has faced accusations of creating 'death traps' and fueling unrest through misinformation. The United Nations has criticized the limited aid reaching Gaza, where nearly two million people are at risk of famine due to insufficient food supply and secure distribution routes.

Dive Deeper:

• The stampede occurred at a food distribution site in Khan Younis, southern Gaza, where at least 20 people died, marking another tragic episode in a series of deadly incidents at sites run by the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation.

• Conflicting accounts emerged about the cause, with the Gazan health ministry alleging tear gas was used, causing the stampede, while the aid organization attributed the chaos to armed individuals inciting unrest.

• The Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, established to distribute food amid an Israeli blockade, has faced severe criticism as hundreds have died since May while trying to obtain food, with accusations directed at Israeli forces for the violence.

• The United Nations has indicated that the aid provided by the foundation is insufficient to meet the needs of Gaza's population, and logistical challenges have hindered effective distribution, exacerbating the crisis.

• Videos verified by journalists depict chaotic scenes as victims were rushed to Nasser Hospital, and the situation is further complicated by misinformation online, which has led to confusion and disorder at aid sites.

• The Israeli military's creation of a security corridor in Khan Younis to isolate Hamas units has led to multiple evacuations and increased displacement, pushing people into already overcrowded areas near the Egyptian border.

• The Gazan health ministry has called for public protection of incoming U.N. medical supply trucks, emphasizing the dire need for secure passage and distribution to alleviate the humanitarian crisis in the region.