At least 27 individuals lost their lives and many more were injured due to Israeli gunfire near a food distribution point in southern Gaza, according to local health officials. This incident marks the third consecutive day of turmoil affecting the aid efforts.
The Israeli military stated that its troops had opened fire on a group of people who strayed from designated access routes near the distribution center in Rafah.
They noted that an investigation into the incident is ongoing.
The fatalities occurred just hours after Israel reported that three of its soldiers were killed in clashes in northern Gaza, as military operations against Hamas militants continue, resulting in extensive destruction across the territory.
Additionally, over 35 patients required immediate medical attention, according to the spokesperson.
The US-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation initiated its first food distribution sites last week, aiming to alleviate widespread hunger among Gaza’s war-affected population, most of whom have fled their homes to escape the fighting.
This aid plan by the GHF, which bypasses traditional humanitarian organizations, has faced intense criticism from the United Nations and established charities, claiming it does not adhere to humanitarian principles.
The private organization, backed by Israel, announced that it delivered 21 truckloads of food early this morning, asserting that the aid operation was “conducted safely and without incident within the site.”
Nonetheless, there are reports of continued fatalities near Rafah as crowds gather for essential supplies.
On Sunday, both Palestinian and international officials reported at least 31 casualties along with numerous injuries.
The Israeli military has denied targeting civilians who were assembling for aid and dismissed the reports of deaths during Sunday’s distribution as “fabrications” spread by Hamas.
Today, the military stated that IDF forces had identified “a number of suspects” approaching them while straying from access routes.
“The forces fired warning shots, and after the suspects did not retreat, further shots were fired near those advancing towards the troops,” they added.
UN Secretary-General António Guterres expressed his “horror” yesterday regarding the reports of Palestinian casualties seeking aid and called for an independent investigation.
Furthermore, the Israeli military issued new evacuation orders to residents in several districts of Khan Younis in southern Gaza late yesterday, cautioning that the military would act decisively against militants present in those areas.
The military instructed residents to move west towards the Mawasi humanitarian zone. Palestinian and United Nations representatives claim there are no safe regions within the territory, with most of its 2.3 million residents displaced internally.
The Hamas-controlled health ministry in Gaza indicated that these new evacuation orders could jeopardize operations at the Nasser Hospital, the largest still-functioning medical facility in the south, endangering patients’ lives.
Israel commenced its military operations in Gaza following the assault on October 7, 2023, in which Hamas-affiliated gunmen reportedly killed 1,200 people and took 251 hostages, according to Israeli sources.
In the ensuing conflict, more than 54,000 Palestinians have been reported killed, according to local health authorities.
