Israeli troops opened fire on Saturday towards crowds of Palestinians attempting to access food from distribution hubs operated by the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF) in southern Gaza, resulting in at least 32 deaths, according to witnesses and hospital officials. The incidents took place near the GHF's aid distribution centers, highlighting the ongoing humanitarian crisis in the region.
The GHF, which began its operations in late May with the backing of both the United States and Israel, has been attempting to replace the traditional U.N.-led aid distribution system in Gaza. This shift comes amidst allegations that Hamas militants divert humanitarian supplies, a claim that the United Nations denies. Although GHF asserts that it has distributed millions of meals, local health officials indicate that numerous Palestinians have been killed by Israeli fire while trying to access these distribution sites.
The Israeli army, stationed a distance from the distribution hubs, maintains that it only resorts to firing warning shots if crowds approach too closely. However, the GHF has consistently denied any deadly incidents at its sites, despite reports confirming that 20 individuals died at one location this week, primarily in a stampede. The organization has accused Hamas of inciting panic but has not provided corroborative evidence for this claim.
Eyewitness accounts from the Teina area near Khan Younis indicate that the shooting escalated as Palestinians gathered to obtain food. One witness, Mahmoud Mokeimar, described the scene as a “massacre,” stating that troops fired indiscriminately as crowds advanced. He managed to escape but reported seeing multiple motionless bodies and many injured fleeing the area. Akram Aker, another witness, claimed that troops used machine guns mounted on tanks and drones to fire directly into the crowds. The violence reportedly occurred early in the morning, between 5 a.m. and 6 a.m.
Further corroborating the eyewitness reports, Sanaa al-Jaberi, a 55-year-old woman, remarked on the chaos as people shouted for food while troops responded with gunfire rather than communication. Monzer Fesifes, a Palestinian-Jordanian, lost his 19-year-old son, Hisham, during the violence, expressing desperation for assistance from the Jordanian government to evacuate from Gaza.
The Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis reported receiving 25 bodies along with dozens of wounded individuals. An additional seven casualties were confirmed in the Shakoush area, near another GHF hub in Rafah. Dr. Mohamed Saker, the head of the nursing department at Nasser Hospital, mentioned that most of the injuries were gunshot wounds to the head and chest, with the hospital's intensive care unit already overwhelmed with patients and critically low on medical supplies.
With over 2 million Palestinians living under dire conditions, Gaza is facing a catastrophic humanitarian crisis, teetering on the brink of famine. Distribution at GHF’s sites has been frequently chaotic, with reports of food boxes left unattended and individuals rushing to seize whatever they can. Videos from contractors working with GHF reveal instances where tear gas and stun grenades were deployed to manage the crowds, along with the sound of gunfire echoing in the background.
The current conflict was ignited on October 7, 2023, when Hamas launched an attack into southern Israel, leading to the deaths of approximately 1,200 people and the capture of about 250 others. In response, the Israeli military offensive has reportedly resulted in over 58,000 Palestinian casualties, displacing nearly the entire population of Gaza and causing widespread devastation. The Gaza Health Ministry, which is affiliated with Hamas, claims that more than half of those killed are women and children, providing data that some international organizations consider reliable.
Despite ongoing ceasefire discussions in Qatar between Israel and Hamas, international mediators report that there have been no significant breakthroughs in the negotiations. The humanitarian situation remains dire, underscoring the urgent need for international intervention and resolution.
