Gaza: Israeli fire killed at least 32 people and wounded over 100 near two aid distribution centres in Gaza, according to the territory's civil defence agency. These incidents are the latest in a series of deadly occurrences involving Palestinians seeking food amid ongoing unrest.
According to France24.com, the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), which has taken over the role of the main distributor of aid in the region from UN agencies, has accused Hamas of instigating unrest and violence. The foundation claims that Hamas has been shooting at civilians, exacerbating the already tense situation near the aid centres.
In response, the Israeli military reported that its troops identified "suspects" approaching them in the Rafah area, posing a perceived threat. After issuing warnings that went unheeded, soldiers fired warning shots. The military maintained that these shots were fired more than a kilometre away from the aid distribution site and at a time when it was not operational. An investigation into the incident is currently underway.
Media restrictions and limited access to several areas in Gaza make it challenging for AFP to independently verify the casualties and details provided by local authorities and other sources.
The humanitarian crisis in Gaza has been escalating since a deadly attack by Hamas on Israel on October 7, 2023, which resulted in severe repercussions for the region. The ongoing conflict has forced most of Gaza's two million residents to be displaced at least once, with significant impacts on both their physical and mental health.
Medical professionals and aid agencies are witnessing increasing cases of severe malnutrition and exhaustion. Sohaib Al-Hums, director of the Kuwaiti Field Hospital in Khan Younis, highlighted the dire situation by noting cases of extreme exhaustion and malnutrition, warning that "hundreds" face "imminent death."
The World Food Programme has reported that nearly one-third of Gaza's population is enduring prolonged periods without food, with "thousands" on the brink of catastrophic hunger. The free flow of aid into Gaza remains a critical demand of Hamas in its indirect negotiations with Israel for a temporary ceasefire and military withdrawal.
Despite the ongoing Israeli aid blockade, GHF assumed control of aid distribution in late May, drawing criticism from the United Nations for allegedly aligning with Israeli military objectives. The GHF has reported fatalities at its distribution sites, attributing the chaos and violence to agitators associated with Hamas.
The prolonged conflict has resulted in significant loss of life on both sides. Hamas's 2023 attack on Israel led to 1,219 deaths, predominantly civilians, based on an AFP tally of official figures. In retaliation, Israeli military actions have claimed the lives of 58,667 Palestinians, mostly civilians, according to the health ministry in Hamas-controlled Gaza.