
At least four Palestinians were killed by Israeli gunfire while approaching an aid distribution center, according to Gaza health workers.
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) stated that troops fired warning shots after issuing verbal challenges to a group moving toward them that was considered threatening. The military said it was aware of injury reports but noted “the number does not align with the information currently held by the IDF.”
This marks another deadly incident near aid distribution points operated by the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), a new organization backed by Israel and the US.
The latest shooting occurred before dawn near an aid distribution site close to Rafah in southern Gaza. Palestinian paramedics reported evacuating four fatalities as crowds gathered, hoping the aid center would open for food distribution. One woman described her husband being shot in the head while waiting to collect food for their family.
The Israeli army has established that Palestinians may only travel to and from GHF distribution sites between 06:00 and 18:00 local time, declaring all other hours an “active combat zone.”
GHF opened three sites on Sunday: one in central Gaza at 06:00 and two more in Rafah at noon.
Israel recently began allowing limited aid into Gaza after a three-month blockade, prioritizing distribution through GHF. The distribution sites represent a new aid system aimed at bypassing the UN, which Israel claims has failed to prevent Hamas from diverting aid to fighters. The UN disputes this characterization, stating such diversion was not widespread and calling the GHF system unworkable and unethical. Humanitarian groups have widely condemned this approach.
GHF has faced controversy since its inception. Over 60 Palestinians were reportedly killed by gunfire during the foundation’s initial three days of aid distribution, according to medics and local health authorities. Multiple witnesses attributed the killings to Israeli soldiers.
The IDF acknowledged firing warning shots on the first two days and shooting near Palestinian suspects approaching their positions on the third day, stating it is investigating these incidents.
On Saturday, six Palestinians were killed and several wounded by Israeli gunfire, according to the Hamas-run Civil Defence agency. The Israeli military again said it fired warning shots at suspects who approached in a threatening manner.
Meanwhile, a flotilla attempting to challenge Israel’s blockade is currently 160 nautical miles from Gaza, according to organizing activists. The Freedom Flotilla Coalition, operating the Madleen vessel with climate activist Greta Thunberg among its crew, said it was “actively preparing for the possibility of interception” while en route.
Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz has ordered the military to prevent the boat from reaching Gaza, warning: “You’d better turn back, because you will not reach Gaza.”
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