In a tragic incident near an aid distribution centre in Gaza, at least 27 Palestinians lost their lives due to Israeli fire, with conflicting reports on the circumstances surrounding the shootings prompting international outcry and demands for accountability.
Casualties Mount as Israeli Forces Engage Near Aid Distribution Site in Gaza
Casualties Mount as Israeli Forces Engage Near Aid Distribution Site in Gaza
At least 27 Palestinians were reported killed by Israeli fire during an aid collection event, sparking widespread condemnation and calls for independent investigations.
At least 27 Palestinians have reportedly been killed by Israeli fire while they attempted to access humanitarian aid near a distribution centre in Gaza, according to local officials. Witnesses and spokespeople from Hamas's Civil Defence agency disclosed that civilians were targeted by tanks, drones, and helicopters near the al-Alam roundabout, approximately 1km (0.6 miles) from the aid site.
The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) maintained that their troops opened fire only after identifying individuals who deviated from established access routes. This statement contradicts claims made by the Hamas-run health ministry, which reported 31 casualties in a similar incident on Sunday, further complicating the narrative of events on the ground.
Atef Al-Hout, director of Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis, reported receiving 24 dead and at least 37 wounded with gunshot injuries on Tuesday, asserting that Israeli forces targeted "crowds of civilians waiting for aid in western Rafah." A foreign medic present in the area described the scene as "total carnage," with the medical facilities overwhelmed by incoming casualties.
In its statement, the IDF emphasized that it was not obstructing civilians from reaching humanitarian distribution sites, asserting that warning shots were fired to deter perceived threats. However, the overall ban on international journalism in Gaza complicates independent verification of the claims made by both sides.
The newly established Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), backed by the US and Israel, has taken over aid distribution in the region, amid criticism for allegedly "weaponizing" humanitarian assistance. Unlike the previous UN-operated system, which provided aid directly into communities, GHF has implemented a system requiring civilians to gather in areas under Israeli military control, relying on a first-come, first-serve basis that has compelled many to queue overnight for aid.
In response to the escalating violence surrounding aid sites, UN human rights chief Volker Türk commented on the dire situation facing Palestinians, highlighting their desperate circumstances between starvation and the risk of deadly encounters while seeking food aid.
The IDF's preliminary findings indicated that its forces had not engaged civilians close to the aid distribution site, a claim contradicted by persistent testimonies from NGOs and medical professionals. The GHF has also rejected allegations of casualties at its site, attributing such claims to disinformation spread by Hamas.
With the conflict intensifying following Hamas's cross-border attacks on October 7, which resulted in significant Israeli casualties, the situation in Gaza remains precarious. UN Secretary General António Guterres has echoed calls for immediate investigations into these incidents, underlining the urgent need for accountability amidst the escalating violence. Reports indicate that the death toll in Gaza has surpassed 54,470 since the onset of the conflict.
