Cries of sorrow resonated throughout Nasser Hospital in southern Gaza as many gathered to honor Hossam Wafi, a father of six who was killed while trying to secure supplies for his family.
His mother, Nahla Wafi, wept uncontrollably over her son, one of 31 victims who lost their lives to Israeli gunfire while attempting to access a food distribution site the day before, according to the civil defense agency in the Palestinian territory.
“He went to fetch food for his daughters – and returned lifeless,” said Nahla Wafi, who sadly lost two sons and a nephew to Israeli attacks on the same day.
The Red Cross reported that it attended to 179 cases following gunfire around the GHF location.
Hossam Wafi had journeyed with his brother and nephew to a newly set up distribution center in the southern city of Rafah.
Israel is facing increasing backlash regarding the humanitarian crisis it has instigated in Gaza, where the United Nations has cautioned that the entire population could face famine.
‘Go there and get bombed’
The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) stated that its field hospital in Rafah treated 179 cases yesterday, including 21 individuals who were pronounced dead upon arrival.
The ICRC revealed that all the injured “indicated they had been attempting to reach an aid distribution site,” most suffering from gunshot or shrapnel injuries.
Israeli authorities, alongside the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), a US and Israeli-supported organization managing the distribution centers, refuted any reports of such incidents occurring.
In contrast, the Israeli military asserted that their troops fired “warning shots” at individuals approaching within 1km of the Rafah distribution site before dawn.
A Palestinian girl reacts after receiving a hot meal.
A witness reported to AFP that thousands gathered at a locally known area called the Al-Alam junction between 2am and 4am (12am and 1am Irish time), hoping to access the distribution center.
At Nasser Hospital, Hossam Wafi’s young daughters called out for their father, kissing the body wrapped in a white shroud before it was transported away.
Outside the hospital, a crowd of men stood solemnly before the body, offering prayers.
Some wept as the remains were taken, with one man holding the father’s face tightly until he was gently coaxed away.
His uncle, Ali Wafi, expressed his frustration that his nephew was killed while seeking assistance.
“They go there and get bombed – airstrikes, tanks, shelling – all for a piece of bread,” he lamented.
“He went out for a bit of bread, nothing else. What was he supposed to do? He had to feed his young children. And the outcome? He’s being laid to rest today,” he added.
Militarised aid
The fatalities in Rafah were one of two deadly events reported by Gaza’s civil defense agency yesterday near the GHF centers, which the UN has declared violate essential humanitarian principles and seem to serve Israeli military objectives.
Numerous reports have surfaced of chaotic situations and warning shots fired in relation to the distribution sites over the past week.
The UN’s humanitarian agency (OCHA) released a video showcasing one such distribution site in the Netzarim corridor of central Gaza on Thursday.
A large crowd is observed around four lengthy corridors formed from metal fences placed in the midst of an arid landscape, organizing men and women into lines to receive flour.
Palestinians in Gaza line up for a hot meal being distributed in Nuseirat refugee camp.
The distribution area and its waiting zone lie on a flattened expanse surrounded by towering mounds of soil and sand.
It is monitored by security guards conversing in English, traveling in armored vehicles.
Palestinians exiting the distribution area carry cardboard boxes, occasionally marked with a “GHF” logo, as well as wooden pallets likely to be reused for fuel or as structural materials for shelter.
In the throng gathered outside the gated corridors, some men can be seen shoving each other, with one woman complaining that her food package was stolen.
Hossam Wafi’s uncle Ali expressed his wish for the people of Gaza to be able to receive aid safely.
“People take the risk (to reach the distribution site), just so they can survive.”
