A month after the start of a controversial US- and Israeli-backed aid distribution system in Gaza, BBC Verify analysis of dozens of videos shows repeated incidents of gunfire near people travelling to collect aid, as well as other moments of chaos and panic.
In several of the videos analysed, gunfire can be heard and there are a number showing dead or injured Palestinians.
According to the Hamas-run Gaza health ministry, in the past month more than 500 people on their way to get aid have been killed and 4,000 injured – the vast majority blamed on Israeli fire by Gazan officials and medics as well as eyewitnesses.
BBC Verify has not found videos which allow a definitive assessment of who is responsible for the wave of killings, but the overall picture is one of confusion and constant danger.
In statements over the past month, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) have several times said they fired “warning shots” at individuals who they described as “suspects” or said posed a threat.
The IDF has told BBC Verify that Hamas does “everything in its power to prevent the success of food distribution in Gaza, tries to disrupt aid, and directly harms the citizens of the Gaza Strip”.
On 18 May Israel announced it was partially easing its 11-week long blockade of aid into Gaza, which it had said was aimed at putting pressure on Hamas to release hostages.
The IDF built four aid distribution sites – three in the far south-west of Gaza and one in central Gaza by an Israel security zone known as the Netzarim Corridor – which began operations on 26 May.
These sites in IDF-controlled areas – known as SDS 1, 2, 3 and 4 – are operated by security contractors working for the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), with the Israeli military securing the routes to them and the perimeters. On Thursday the US State Department announced $30m (拢22m; 26m euros) in funding for the GHF – the first known direct contribution to the group.
From the start the UN condemned the plan, saying it would “militarise” aid, bypass the existing distribution network and force Gazans to make long journeys through dangerous territory to get food.
Within days of the plan starting, dozens of Palestinians were killed in separate incidents on 1 and 3 June, sparking international condemnation. Since then there have been near-daily reports of killings of people travelling to collect aid.