DEIR AL-BALAH, Gaza Strip (AP) - At least four people were killed and several others wounded by Israeli fire approximately one kilometer (half-mile) from an aid distribution point operated by the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), an organization backed by Israeli and U.S. interests. Palestinian health officials and witnesses confirmed the casualties, which were brought to Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis.
According to Palestinian witnesses, Israeli forces opened fire on individuals near a roundabout in Rafah as they approached the site to collect food aid. The Israeli military stated that they had fired warning shots at people perceived as suspects who advanced toward their forces despite being warned to turn back. This incident occurred in southern Gaza, an area designated as an active combat zone during nighttime hours.
The GHF reported no violence at the distribution sites themselves but temporarily closed operations last week to discuss safety protocols with the Israeli military. They have advised individuals to adhere to designated access routes while collecting aid.
In an unrelated incident, the Israeli military accused Mahmoud Bassal, a spokesperson for Gaza’s Civil Defense, of being an active member of Hamas. Documents allegedly recovered during operations inside Gaza assert that Bassal joined Hamas in 2005. However, the Associated Press was unable to independently verify this information, and Bassal has not yet responded to requests for comment.
The Civil Defense operates under the Hamas-run government and is typically the first to respond at locations targeted by Israeli strikes. In the past two weeks, there have been multiple reports of shootings near new aid hubs intended to help thousands of Palestinians in need of food. Witnesses have described Israeli troops firing at close range, contributing to a rising death toll—over 80 individuals have reportedly died during these incidents, according to officials in Gaza.
The most recent shooting, which occurred around 6 a.m. as individuals were informed the aid site would open, left many fleeing in panic. Adham Dahman, a witness with a bandage on his chin, recounted that a tank had targeted them as they approached the area. “We didn’t know how to escape,” he stated. Another witness, Zahed Ben Hassan, described a horrifying moment when someone beside him was shot in the head, prompting a group to retrieve the body and escape to the hospital.
Despite assurances that the aid distribution areas would be considered safe from 6 a.m. until 6 p.m., witnesses questioned why shooting commenced during daylight hours. Israel’s military had announced the availability of the sites within those hours but declared them to be a closed military zone after dark.
The aid hubs established within Israeli military zones are overseen by the GHF—a group comprising largely American contractors. Israel is aiming for this organization to replace existing systems facilitated by the United Nations and other international aid entities. Accusations have been raised against Hamas regarding aid diversions, while the U.N. refutes claims of systemic exploitation.
The U.N. has highlighted difficulties in delivering aid, attributing challenges to Israeli military restrictions and widespread chaos that includes looting. Experts have raised alarms regarding the critical risk of famine within Gaza unless Israel lifts its blockade and ceases military operations, which officials have indicated will persist until all hostages are released and Hamas is incapacitated.
Hamas has stipulated conditions for releasing the remaining hostages, including a swap for Palestinian prisoners, a lasting ceasefire, and an Israeli withdrawal from Gaza. Talks involving the U.S., Egypt, and Qatar aimed at resolving these issues have stagnated for months.
The conflict escalated on October 7, 2023, when Hamas launched an unprecedented attack, resulting in the deaths of approximately 1,200 individuals in Israel, most of whom were civilians. Currently, Hamas holds 55 hostages, with most of the previously captured individuals released through ceasefire agreements and negotiations.
The ongoing military campaign has claimed the lives of over 54,000 Palestinians, according to Gaza's Health Ministry, which reports that women and children constitute a significant portion of the deceased. However, the Israeli military asserts that over 20,000 militants have been killed, though without providing substantiating evidence.
As a result of the conflict, vast areas of Gaza have been decimated, displacing around 90% of the population. With nearly complete destruction of food production capabilities, the region's approximate 2 million residents have become highly dependent on international aid.
