At least 12 Palestinians were reportedly killed by Israeli gunfire while waiting for aid near an international distribution site in central Gaza, raising alarm over the mounting violence associated with humanitarian assistance in the region.
Israeli Forces Accused of Killing Twelve Palestinians at Gaza Aid Site
Israeli Forces Accused of Killing Twelve Palestinians at Gaza Aid Site
Medics report fatalities as Palestinians wait for aid desperate for relief amid ongoing conflict in Gaza.
At least 12 Palestinians have been reported killed by Israeli forces while they were waiting for aid at an aid distribution site in central Gaza, according to medics and rescuers on the scene. The group was allegedly targeted on Thursday near a distribution location operated by the US- and Israeli-supported Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF). In response, the GHF denied that any incidents occurred near its facility.
The Israeli military claimed that soldiers fired warning shots after "suspects" approached their forces near the area of Netzarim, stating they were not aware of any casualties resulting from the incident. This latest occurrence marks an alarming trend of violence associated with aid distribution points across Gaza, with many reported to have been killed during similar situations in recent weeks.
Since the GHF took charge of aid distribution in late May, hundreds of Palestinians have been killed, primarily linked to these distribution activities rather than direct Israeli airstrikes on Hamas positions. Gaza's health ministry indicated that on Thursday alone, 12 individuals perished while seeking aid, without providing additional specifics.
Reports from the Hamas-run civil defense agency, which acts as Gaza's main emergency service, indicated that 15 people were killed and another 60 wounded in the gunfire at the Netzarim corridor, where throngs of individuals gather daily for assistance.
Local eyewitness Bassam Abu Shaar recounted a chaotic scene where thousands were present at the GHF-centered distribution location overnight before the gunfire erupted at around 01:00 (22:00 GMT). He lamented, "We couldn't help them or even escape ourselves," describing the desperate atmosphere and challenges faced by the crowd.
In a stark contradiction, the GHF insisted to the BBC that no incidents transpired near their site, suggesting the reports from the Gaza health ministry were misleading. The Israeli military attributed their defensive measures to threats posed by individuals approaching their lines.
Amid these ongoing conflicts, the humanitarian organization Hamas urged the UN and other humanitarian agencies to regain exclusive control over relief distribution in Gaza. The GHF's new aid framework is controversial and has faced resistance from various international bodies, including the UN, which cites concerns about its impartiality and effectiveness.
Further complicating the situation, a separate incident on Thursday reported the recovery of multiple bodies from different areas in Gaza, casualties of ongoing Israeli shelling — with seven individuals killed when a tent sheltering displaced civilians was struck in Jabalia refugee camp. Eyewitnesses stated the victims included a couple and their five children.
The Israeli military launched extensive operations in Gaza following a Hamas-led surprise assault on southern Israel on October 7, which led to around 1,200 deaths and numerous hostages. Since that time, Gaza's Hamas-run health ministry has reported over 55,637 fatalities, underscoring the escalating humanitarian crisis in the region.
