Fatalities Rise as Israeli Forces Open Fire on Civilians at Gaza Food Distribution Point
At least 27 Palestinians reported killed in Rafah as tensions escalate around humanitarian aid distribution amid ongoing conflict.
At least 27 Palestinians were killed early Tuesday when Israeli forces opened fire on civilians gathered at a food distribution point in the southern Gaza Strip.
Witness accounts and local health officials reported that thousands of individuals had assembled at the al-Alam roundabout near Rafah, waiting for aid from the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, an organization backed by Israel.
This incident marks the third consecutive day of fatalities linked to gunfire directed at civilians near food distribution sites amid the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
Gaza's health ministry reported that among the deceased were three children and two women, with many victims suffering gunshot wounds to the head and chest, as well as shrapnel injuries.
Eyewitnesses stated that the shooting began around 5 AM and persisted as thousands scrambled for limited supplies, leading to chaos and panic.
Medical personnel at Nasser hospital, which received the casualties, expressed concerns about dwindling blood supplies and medical resources due to the volume of injured arriving at the facility.
The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) stated that their troops fired when they perceived a threat from several individuals advancing toward their position, claiming that warning shots had been initially fired.
The military emphasized that those shot had left designated safe corridors, although it did not specify who the individuals were.
This account, however, contrasts sharply with reports from witnesses, who described indiscriminate fire being directed at civilians well beyond the designated areas.
The International Committee of the Red Cross confirmed that their Rafah field hospital treated 184 casualties, with 19 declared dead on arrival and eight more succumbing to their injuries shortly afterward.
A spokesperson from the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation expressed sadness over the incident, emphasizing that the group had provided 21 truckloads of food that day amid a critical scarcity of resources in the region.
This incident follows a series of similar occurrences where civilians have been killed or wounded as they seek humanitarian aid in Gaza.
Reports indicate that over 30 Palestinians died in an earlier incident at a distribution site just days prior.
As the Israeli blockade of Gaza continues, international entities, including the United Nations, have condemned the attacks as violations of humanitarian law, with UN rights chief Volker Türk labeling them as war crimes.
It has been reported that Israel has blocked most supplies, asserting that aid deliveries have been diverted by Hamas, a claim denied by the group.
The Gaza Humanitarian Foundation's new system of aid distribution has faced criticism for inadequately meeting the needs of Gaza’s population, estimated at 2.3 million, as the ongoing fallout from recent hostilities exacerbates the already dire situation in the region.
Local reports indicate that food shortages have intensified, with an assessment from global hunger monitors warning that half a million individuals are at risk of starvation in Gaza.
The UN and various humanitarian organizations have voiced concerns regarding the impact of Israeli policies on food access and civilian safety, stating that the new distribution arrangements may further jeopardize the lives of those who are already vulnerable.
Witness accounts and local health officials reported that thousands of individuals had assembled at the al-Alam roundabout near Rafah, waiting for aid from the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, an organization backed by Israel.
This incident marks the third consecutive day of fatalities linked to gunfire directed at civilians near food distribution sites amid the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
Gaza's health ministry reported that among the deceased were three children and two women, with many victims suffering gunshot wounds to the head and chest, as well as shrapnel injuries.
Eyewitnesses stated that the shooting began around 5 AM and persisted as thousands scrambled for limited supplies, leading to chaos and panic.
Medical personnel at Nasser hospital, which received the casualties, expressed concerns about dwindling blood supplies and medical resources due to the volume of injured arriving at the facility.
The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) stated that their troops fired when they perceived a threat from several individuals advancing toward their position, claiming that warning shots had been initially fired.
The military emphasized that those shot had left designated safe corridors, although it did not specify who the individuals were.
This account, however, contrasts sharply with reports from witnesses, who described indiscriminate fire being directed at civilians well beyond the designated areas.
The International Committee of the Red Cross confirmed that their Rafah field hospital treated 184 casualties, with 19 declared dead on arrival and eight more succumbing to their injuries shortly afterward.
A spokesperson from the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation expressed sadness over the incident, emphasizing that the group had provided 21 truckloads of food that day amid a critical scarcity of resources in the region.
This incident follows a series of similar occurrences where civilians have been killed or wounded as they seek humanitarian aid in Gaza.
Reports indicate that over 30 Palestinians died in an earlier incident at a distribution site just days prior.
As the Israeli blockade of Gaza continues, international entities, including the United Nations, have condemned the attacks as violations of humanitarian law, with UN rights chief Volker Türk labeling them as war crimes.
It has been reported that Israel has blocked most supplies, asserting that aid deliveries have been diverted by Hamas, a claim denied by the group.
The Gaza Humanitarian Foundation's new system of aid distribution has faced criticism for inadequately meeting the needs of Gaza’s population, estimated at 2.3 million, as the ongoing fallout from recent hostilities exacerbates the already dire situation in the region.
Local reports indicate that food shortages have intensified, with an assessment from global hunger monitors warning that half a million individuals are at risk of starvation in Gaza.
The UN and various humanitarian organizations have voiced concerns regarding the impact of Israeli policies on food access and civilian safety, stating that the new distribution arrangements may further jeopardize the lives of those who are already vulnerable.