How two shocking stories from Gaza barely made global headlines

July 7, 2025

Israeli soldiers have admitted to receiving explicit orders to shoot at Palestinians seeking aid in Gaza, describing it as a "killing field" with over 743 Palestinians killed in such incidents since June. Concurrently, Gaza's Government Media Office reported finding traces of oxycodone, a powerful opioid, in flour delivered through international aid shipments. The United Nations Human Rights Office has condemned the "weaponization of food in Gaza" as a war crime, calling for investigations amid warnings from the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification that Gaza faces catastrophic food insecurity with at least 66 children already dead from starvation.

Who is affected

Palestinian civilians in Gaza, particularly those seeking humanitarian aid
2.3 million Gaza residents living under blockade
470,000 people (22 percent of population) facing "Catastrophe" level food insecurity
Over 1 million people (54 percent) in "Emergency" food insecurity
Half a million people (24 percent) in "Crisis" food insecurity
At least 66 children who have died from starvation
743 Palestinians killed in aid distribution incidents since June
4,891 Palestinians wounded in these massacres

What action is being taken

Israeli soldiers are shooting at Palestinians approaching aid convoys without requiring they pose a concrete threat
The United Nations Human Rights Office is condemning the "weaponization of food in Gaza" as a war crime
Laboratory tests are being conducted on aid shipments after oxycodone was allegedly found in flour
Further testing is underway to determine whether the flour contamination was accidental or deliberate
More than 170 non-governmental organizations are calling for the dismantling of the current aid distribution scheme

Why it matters

These incidents represent potential war crimes and crimes against humanity
The entire population of Gaza faces Crisis or worse acute food insecurity
The current situation has pushed an already dire humanitarian crisis into catastrophe
The reports suggest systematic targeting of civilians seeking basic necessities
The alleged contamination of food aid with opioids could have devastating public health consequences
The limited international media coverage demonstrates the normalization of Palestinian suffering
The incidents highlight issues with the Israeli-controlled Gaza Humanitarian Foundation aid distribution system

What's next

No explicit next steps stated in the article

Read full article from source: Global Voices