Hospitals in Gaza report that hundreds have died while attempting to access aid, following a series of violent incidents during distribution efforts. The situation raises urgent concerns about humanitarian access and the ongoing blockade.
Escalating Violence in Gaza: Aid Distribution Targets Suffer Fatal Attacks
Escalating Violence in Gaza: Aid Distribution Targets Suffer Fatal Attacks
Recent reports reveal a tragic toll as Palestinians seek humanitarian aid amidst ongoing conflict in Gaza.
Dozens of Palestinians have been killed as they sought aid in Gaza, according to multiple hospital reports. Two hospitals indicated that at least 25 individuals lost their lives overnight near a convoy supplying flour and a food distribution center operated by the US- and Israel-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF) within the Netzarim corridor, an Israeli-controlled military zone in central Gaza.
The Hamas-run Civil Defence agency announced that Israeli forces opened fire during the chaos, leading to numerous injuries and fatalities. Some reports indicate that victims were not only shot but also crushed by lorries amidst the disorder. The Israeli military responded by stating that troops fired warning shots at individuals who approached them suspiciously.
In another incident, six people were reported killed by Israeli gunfire close to a GHF site in Rafah, with Nasser hospital in nearby Khan Younis confirming the casualties. The Israeli military is currently investigating these incidents. The GHF claimed to have distributed over 43,000 food parcels across its distribution centers in Rafah and central Gaza without incident; however, reports of daily violence have marred the aid efforts since the new system commenced operations two weeks ago.
According to Gaza’s Hamas-run health ministry, 223 Palestinians have died and 1,858 have been injured while attempting to reach designated aid distribution zones over the past fortnight. The GHF, which employs private US security contractors, aims to circumvent the United Nations' monopoly on humanitarian aid to Gaza, whose population of 2.1 million faces dire food shortages after an extensive Israeli blockade that was only partially lifted three weeks ago.
Both the US and Israel argue that the GHF’s framework will deter aid theft by Hamas, a claim denied by both the UN and Hamas, with the UN emphasizing that reported aid diversion is not a systemic issue.
The backdrop to this humanitarian crisis is rooted in an Israeli military offensive launched in retaliation for a Hamas-led attack on southern Israel, which occurred on October 7, 2023, resulting in approximately 1,200 deaths and numerous hostages taken. Currently, Gaza's health ministry reports a horrifying toll of over 55,104 fatalities since that date.
