The Hamas-run health ministry reports that at least 32 Palestinians were killed by Israeli gunfire while waiting for aid near distribution points in southern Gaza. Eyewitnesses claim the gunfire was targeted, contradicting claims from the Israeli Defense Forces which stated they were firing warning shots. The plight of residents seeking food continues as humanitarian access remains severely limited.
Israeli Gunfire Claims Lives of 32 Palestinians Near Aid Distribution Points in Gaza
Israeli Gunfire Claims Lives of 32 Palestinians Near Aid Distribution Points in Gaza
Recent incidents near Khan Younis and Rafah have led to multiple deaths and injuries as Palestinians sought essential food aid amid ongoing violence.
At least 32 Palestinians seeking food have been killed by Israeli gunfire near two aid distribution points close to Khan Younis and Rafah in southern Gaza, according to the territory's Hamas-run health ministry. Dozens were also injured near the controversial sites operated by the US and Israeli-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF). The GHF stated that no incidents occurred "at or near" their locations, but acknowledged "Israel Defense Forces (IDF) activity" beforehand.
Eyewitness reports to the Reuters news agency indicated that the Israeli gunfire appeared to be "targeted to kill." According to the Palestinian ministry of health, several bodies were transported to Nasser hospital in the area on Saturday morning. There have been regular reports of casualties among Palestinians seeking aid since the GHF commenced its operations in late May, with many fatalities attributed to Israeli forces.
The IDF defended its actions, mentioning that troops fired warning shots to deter "suspects" approaching their positions, claiming the event took place prior to the opening of the aid sites. Mohammed Al-Khalidi, an eyewitness, expressed his conviction that the gunfire was intended to cause harm, asserting that rather than attempting to organize the crowd, the shooting was meant to result in fatalities.
The GHF relies on private security contractors for aid distribution in areas classified as Israeli military zones, a system Israel and the US assert is necessary to prevent Hamas from misappropriating aid. This perspective has been rejected by the UN, which labels it unethical and questions the evidence surrounding claims of Hamas's actions.
As of July 15, the UN human rights office recorded 674 fatalities in the vicinity of the GHF sites in Gaza over the previous six weeks, with additional deaths documented along UN and other aid convoy routes. The GHF has denied any incidents near its locations and accused the UN of propagating "false and misleading" statistics from the Hamas-run health ministry, which is often regarded for its reliable counts based on hospital reports.
Israel has restricted international journalism, including BBC correspondents, from accessing Gaza. The UN recently indicated a worrying trend, reporting that malnourished children in the region have doubled since the onset of Israeli food restrictions in March, despite the GHF's efforts. Reports from hospitals depict a dire situation as they welcome numerous patients suffering from severe exhaustion, starvation, and malnutrition.
As the humanitarian crisis escalates, 69 children have reportedly died from malnutrition, as documented by media from the Hamas government. On Friday, US President Donald Trump suggested that a ceasefire was imminent; however, Palestinian officials informed the BBC that negotiations are stalled, challenging recent troop withdrawal proposals from Israel as unacceptable to Hamas.
