Israeli Gunfire Claims Six Lives Near Gaza Aid Distribution Site

Six Palestinians were killed by Israeli gunfire near an aid center in southern Gaza, amid reports of overcrowding and safety concerns at the site. This incident highlights ongoing tensions and humanitarian crises affecting the region.

Six Palestinians have tragically lost their lives and several more have been injured due to Israeli gunfire near an aid distribution center in southern Gaza, according to reports from the Hamas-run Civil Defence agency. Eyewitness accounts indicate that the shooting erupted when individuals gathered on Saturday morning to collect food supplies and attempted to approach the aid site. The Israeli military claims that warning shots were fired at individuals it deemed a threat.

This week has seen a significant number of casualties as Palestinians flocked to the distribution center. The Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), which manages the site and is backed by the U.S. and Israel, has ceased operations to cope with overcrowding and to ensure safety amid the chaos. The aid site, situated near an Israeli military zone, has drawn crowds daily, despite the perilous conditions.

The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) emphasized that they had communicated to residents that the area remains an active combat zone during night hours. The GHF reported an inability to distribute supplies on Saturday due to threats from Hamas, which the organization has denied. This latest incident is likely to intensify international criticism regarding the operational model of the GHF.

Additionally, a spokesman for Civil Defence, Mahmoud Basal, declared that airstrikes conducted by Israel on a residential building in Gaza City resulted in at least 15 fatalities, including individuals trapped under the rubble. The Israeli army stated these strikes targeted the head of the Mujahideen Brigades, a group accused of involvement in previous attacks.

Following a three-month blockade, Israel has gradually allowed limited aid into Gaza, primarily through the GHF, aiming to bypass the UN, which Israel accuses of allowing supplies to reach Hamas militants. However, the controversial new system has faced backlash from various humanitarian organizations. Reports indicate that more than 60 Palestinians were killed due to gunfire in just three days following the GHF's resumption of operations.

In the wake of an intensified military campaign launched by Israel almost 20 months ago in response to cross-border attacks by Hamas, the scale of humanitarian crisis in Gaza continues to grow. The conflict has resulted in over 54,677 casualties, based on figures from the territory's health ministry.