Dozens of Palestinians killed, nearly 200 wounded while on their way to collect aid in Gaza
At least 26 Palestinians were reportedly killed and some 175 were wounded as they made their way to receive food in the Gaza Strip, according to officials from the Hamas-run health ministry and witnesses. However, Israeli officials dispute these claims, stating that they are currently unaware of injuries caused by IDF fire within the Humanitarian Aid distribution site.
Witnesses said Israeli forces fired on crowds around 1,000 yards away from an aid site run by the Israeli-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF). A Palestinian journalist told the BBC that thousands of Palestinians had gathered near the aid site near Gaza’s southern city of Rafah when Israeli tanks approached and opened fire on the crowd.
The Israeli Defense Forces have stated that the matter is still under review, and they are denying the reports of casualties. The GHF has also denied the claims, stating that all aid was distributed without incident and that the reports of deaths and injuries are false and fabricated.
The foundation’s distribution of aid has been marred by chaos, with multiple witnesses reporting Israeli troops firing on crowds near the delivery sites. Before Sunday’s incident, at least six people had been killed and more than 50 wounded, according to local health officials.
The foundation has dismissed what it referred to as “false reporting about deaths, mass injuries, and chaos.” The organization’s distribution of aid has been met with challenges, as the Israeli military zones limit independent access to the sites.
As thousands of people headed toward the distribution site before dawn, Israeli forces ordered them to disperse and return later. When the crowds reached the Flag Roundabout, the military opened fire, resulting in multiple casualties. Witnesses reported fire coming from naval warships, tanks, and drones.
Despite the claims of casualties, Israel and the U.S. continue to support the GHF’s aid distribution system, which aims to prevent Hamas from diverting aid. However, U.N. agencies and major aid groups have refused to work with the new system, citing concerns about humanitarian principles being violated.
The U.N. system has faced challenges in delivering aid to Palestinians in Gaza due to Israel’s restrictions, the breakdown of law and order, and widespread looting. The situation remains complex, with conflicting reports about the violence surrounding aid distribution in the Gaza Strip.
