• Over 400 Palestinians have reportedly died while seeking aid since the blockade was lifted.
• Israeli military acknowledges civilian harm and implements new instructions.
• UN Secretary-General labels the aid operation as 'inherently unsafe.'
• Israel's military is investigating reports of harm and issuing new protocols for aid distribution.
• The situation follows an increase in casualties linked to aid distribution efforts in Gaza.

On June 30, the Israeli military disclosed that it had recognized instances of harm to Palestinian civilians at aid distribution centers in Gaza, stating that following "lessons learned," new operational instructions had been issued to its forces. Since the lifting of an 11-week aid blockade on May 19, the United Nations reports that more than 400 Palestinians have lost their lives while attempting to access aid, prompting significant scrutiny of operational practices by the military, according to Reuters and Channel News Asia.

Following a series of incidents where civilians were reportedly harmed while approaching aid sites run by the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) announced they were examining these reports closely. While the military has maintained that it does not target civilians, reports from various sources, including eyewitness accounts and health ministry statements, indicate a troubling pattern of fire resulting in civilian casualties, as highlighted by a BBC report. This included claims of 'warning shots' being fired at individuals deemed "suspects" near these sites.

UN Secretary-General António Guterres has condemned the U.S.-backed GHF aid operation as "inherently unsafe," suggesting that it contributes to harm among vulnerable populations, similar sentiments voiced by humanitarian organizations and local health officials. He noted, "Any operation that channels desperate civilians into militarized zones is inherently unsafe. It is killing people," emphasizing the need for a reassessment of the operational dynamics on the ground, according to Reuters and Channel News Asia.

The IDF has announced plans to reorganize access to aid distribution points, which will include updated fencing and signage to minimize civilian interactions and potential friction. Critics have highlighted these measures as insufficient, given that casualties have predominantly occurred near these aid sites, raising urgent calls for better protections for civilians, as reported by BBC and Channel News Asia.