Local authorities reported that Israeli fire killed 27 Palestinians near an aid distribution site, with civilians allegedly targeted by military forces. Humanitarian aid systems have come under criticism, and calls for accountability have intensified in light of the casualties.
Rising Death Toll in Gaza as Israeli Forces Open Fire Near Aid Distribution Site
Rising Death Toll in Gaza as Israeli Forces Open Fire Near Aid Distribution Site
A tragic incident near an aid center in Gaza has resulted in the deaths of at least 27 Palestinians, raising concerns over the humanitarian crisis amid ongoing violence.
At least 27 Palestinians have lost their lives following Israeli fire while they were attempting to collect necessary aid near a distribution center in Gaza, according to local officials. The incident reportedly occurred at the al-Alam roundabout, roughly 1km from the aid site, where civilians faced gunfire from tanks, drones, and helicopters. Mahmoud Basal, a spokesman for Gaza’s Hamas-run Civil Defence agency, confirmed the tragic toll.
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) responded by stating that their troops opened fire only after identifying individuals moving towards them in a manner deemed threatening, departing from designated access routes. This official stance contradicts numerous civilian witnesses, NGOs, and health officials who have reported similar incidents in recent days. In fact, a prior incident on Sunday saw the Hamas-run health ministry claiming that 31 individuals were killed and almost 200 injured, a claim that Israel denied.
Atef Al-Hout, the director of Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis, revealed that on Tuesday morning, 24 fatalities and 37 injuries were recorded, with victims arriving primarily from crowds awaiting aid. A foreign medic described the chaos as “total carnage” with overwhelmed medical facilities handling the influx of casualties.
The IDF maintained that they did not obstruct access to aid distribution sites and characterized the shots fired as warning shots aimed at individuals who approached too closely. However, it is important to note that international news organizations, such as the BBC, are largely restricted from covering events in Gaza, complicating the verification of claims from both sides.
Aid distribution in Gaza has transitioned to a new system overseen by the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), an organization backed by Israel and the U.S. This new approach differs significantly from the previous UN aid mechanism, forcing Palestinians to travel to designated centers and comply with stricter security protocols. The GHF's operational method has sparked widespread criticism for allegedly politicizing aid deliveries and undermining humanitarian standards.
In response to Tuesday's tragic event, GHF insisted that their distribution conducted at its center proceeded safely, while the IDF confirmed that an investigation into the claims of civilian injuries is ongoing, framing the incident as occurring outside their secured operation zones.
Volker Türk, the UN human rights chief, expressed grave concern over persistent civilian casualties near aid distribution points. He stated, "Palestinians now face the dire choice of starving or risking their lives for essential food." Meanwhile, the International Committee of the Red Cross reported that their Rafah hospital dealt with a significant influx of casualties following the Sunday incident, emphasizing the urgency of humanitarian access.
UN Secretary-General António Guterres condemned the violence against civilians seeking aid, calling for a thorough independent investigation and accountability for those responsible. The escalating violence in Gaza has intensified since the onset of Israel's military campaign in response to the Hamas attacks on October 7, which left approximately 1,200 fatalities. The health ministry of Gaza has since reported over 54,470 fatalities in the ongoing conflict, which raises further alarm about the humanitarian crisis in the region.
