On Saturday, Gaza’s civil defence agency reported that Israeli fire resulted in the deaths of 39 individuals and injuries to over 100 near two aid centres, marking the latest fatalities among Palestinians in search of food.
In Gaza, the tragic deaths of individuals awaiting assistance in large crowds near food distribution points have become increasingly common. The authorities in the territory often attribute these fatalities to Israeli gunfire.
The Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), supported by the US and Israel, has taken over as the primary distributor of aid in the region, replacing UN agencies. The organisation has levelled accusations against the militant group Hamas, claiming it has incited unrest and targeted civilians with gunfire.
Civil defence agency spokesman Mahmud Bassal reported that the fatalities occurred near a location southwest of Khan Yunis and another site northwest of Rafah, both situated in southern Gaza. He attributed the deaths to “Israeli gunfire.”
A witness recounted that he and five relatives ventured to the Al-Tina area of Khan Yunis before dawn in search of food when they were met with gunfire from “Israeli soldiers.”
“My relatives and I were unable to get anything,” stated Abdul Aziz Abed, 37, in an interview with AFP. “Daily visits yield nothing but bullets and fatigue in place of sustenance.”
In addition, three other witnesses have alleged that troops discharged their weapons.
Shots were fired as a warning.
The Israeli military stated that it had “identified suspects who approached them during operational activity in the Rafah area, posing a threat to the troops.”
According to reports, soldiers instructed individuals to turn back, and when they failed to comply, troops discharged warning shots. The statement also acknowledged awareness of the casualty reports.
The incident is currently being reviewed. According to a statement, the shots were fired at night, approximately one kilometre (over half a mile) from the aid distribution site, which was not active at the time.
GHF has categorically denied reports claiming that deaths occurred near its sites, labelling them as “false”.
“We have consistently advised those seeking aid against travelling to our locations during the overnight and early morning hours,” the statement read on X.
The civil defence agency has reported that an Israeli airstrike on a residence near Nuseirat, located in central Gaza, resulted in the deaths of 12 individuals. This incident marks the latest in a continuing series of lethal bombardments in the region.
The ongoing media restrictions in Gaza, coupled with challenges in accessing numerous regions, have resulted in AFP’s inability to independently verify the casualty figures and information supplied by the civil defence agency and other involved parties.
The conflict in Gaza, ignited by a lethal assault from the militant group Hamas on Israel on October 7, 2023, has resulted in severe humanitarian crises for the over two million residents of the coastal enclave.
The ongoing conflict has led to widespread displacement, with many individuals experiencing it at least once. Medical professionals and humanitarian organisations report a concerning rise in both physical and mental health issues stemming from 21 months of warfare, notably an increase in acute malnutrition cases.
The World Food Programme reported that nearly one in three individuals in Gaza are going days without food, with “thousands” facing the threat of catastrophic hunger.
The United Nations agency responsible for Palestinian refugees, UNRWA, announced on Saturday that it has sufficient food supplies to sustain Gaza for over three months. However, these provisions remain stockpiled in warehouses and are currently unavailable for distribution.
The unrestricted delivery of aid to Gaza stands as a crucial demand from Hamas in its indirect negotiations with Israel, aimed at securing a 60-day ceasefire in the ongoing conflict, which also includes a complete withdrawal of Israeli military forces.
‘Instigators’
Following a two-month blockade of aid by Israel, GHF assumed control of aid distribution in late May. This move has drawn criticism from the United Nations, which had previously managed the distribution, alleging that the shift was intended to align with Israeli military goals.
GHF has confirmed for the first time that 20 individuals lost their lives at its Khan Yunis location on Wednesday. The organisation attributed the incident to “agitators in the crowd… armed and affiliated with Hamas,” claiming they instigated “a chaotic and dangerous surge” and opened fire on those seeking aid.
On the previous day, the United Nations reported that 875 individuals had lost their lives in Gaza while attempting to secure food, with 674 of those fatalities occurring “in the vicinity of GHF sites,” since the organization’s operations commenced.
According to an AFP tally derived from official figures, the 2023 attack by Hamas on Israel resulted in the deaths of 1,219 individuals, the majority of whom were civilians.
According to the health ministry in Hamas-run Gaza, Israel’s retaliatory military action has resulted in the deaths of 58,765 Palestinians, the majority of whom are reported to be civilians.
