The U.S.- and Israeli-backed so-called Gaza Humanitarian Foundation has issued a statement blaming Hamas provocateurs — without evidence — for the deaths of 21 Palestinians killed at its aid distribution site in Khan Younis on Wednesday. Survivors blame GHF guards, who they say triggered a deadly stampede by firing tear gas into a crowd of starving Palestinians lined up for parcels of food.

Abdallah Alyan: “This aid, I swear to God, is a trap. This is not aid. They fire at us. They throw bombs at us, spray us with pepper spray to burn our eyes. … The alternative is to open the border crossing, let the goods in so the prices go down in the market. This is the alternative for this aid. This is the alternative. Open the crossing, and everything will be cheaper in the market. They’re depending on this aid for their livelihood at the trap, the trap of the Israelis.”