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The Independent UK
The Independent UK
World
Julia Frankel and Sam Mednick

Contractors say ‘unqualified’ colleagues are firing live ammo as Palestinians seek food in Gaza

This photo, provided by an American contractor on condition of anonymity, shows a man reacting after being tear gassed at a distribution site run by the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation in Gaza in June 2025. (AP Photo) - (ASSOCIATED PRESS)

American contractors guarding aid distribution sites in Gaza are using live ammunition and stun grenades as hungry Palestinians scramble for food, according to accounts and videos obtained by The Associated Press.

Two U.S. contractors, speaking to the AP on condition of anonymity because they were revealing their employers’ internal operations, said they were coming forward because they were disturbed by what they considered dangerous and irresponsible practices. They said the security staff hired were often unqualified, unvetted, heavily armed and seemed to have an open license to do whatever they wished.

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