Local health officials report that at least 27 Palestinians were killed and dozens more injured by Israeli gunfire near a Gaza aid site for the third consecutive day.
The Israeli military (IDF) stated that its forces opened fire on a group they deemed a threat after the individuals left designated pathways near a US- and Israeli-backed food distribution point in Rafah on Tuesday.
The IDF said warning shots were fired about half a kilometer from the aid site and that the incident remains under investigation.
These deaths occurred just hours after Israel announced that three of its soldiers were killed during clashes in northern Gaza, as its forces continue a prolonged offensive against Hamas militants, which has devastated much of the region.
Reuters could not independently verify reports from northern and southern Gaza.
A spokesperson for the International Committee of the Red Cross told Reuters their field hospital in Rafah received 184 casualties, including 19 dead on arrival and eight who later died of their injuries. Over 35 patients required urgent medical intervention.
Widespread hunger
The US-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation began its first aid distributions last week to address severe hunger among Gaza’s war-affected population.
The Foundation’s approach, which bypasses traditional aid organizations, has faced strong criticism from the United Nations and established charities, who argue it does not adhere to humanitarian standards.
The private group, supported by Israel, reported distributing 21 truckloads of food early Tuesday and stated the operation was “conducted safely and without incident within the site.”
Nonetheless, reports of repeated killings near Rafah have surfaced as crowds gather to obtain critical supplies.
On Sunday, Palestinian and international officials reported at least 31 deaths and many injuries during aid distribution. On Monday, three more Palestinians reportedly died from Israeli gunfire.
The Israeli military denies targeting civilians seeking aid and dismissed Sunday’s death reports as “fabrications” by Hamas.
On Tuesday, the IDF said its forces identified “a number of suspects” moving toward them, straying from authorized access routes.
“The forces fired warning shots, and when the individuals did not retreat, additional shots were fired near those advancing,” the IDF said.
UN response
The United Nations Human Rights Office condemned the obstruction of food and aid access in Gaza, warning such attacks on civilians seeking aid may constitute war crimes.
“For the third consecutive day, people were killed near an aid distribution site run by the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation,” UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Jeremy Laurence told reporters in Geneva.
“We have received information this morning of dozens more killed and wounded.”
UN Secretary-General António Guterres expressed being “appalled” by reports of Palestinians harmed while trying to access aid and called for an independent investigation.
The Israeli military issued new evacuation orders late Monday for residents in several Khan Younis districts in southern Gaza, warning it would take forceful action against militants operating there.
Residents were told to relocate westward to the Mawasi humanitarian area.
However, Palestinian and UN officials say there are no safe zones left in Gaza, and most of the 2.3 million population is internally displaced.
The new orders could force closure of Nasser Hospital, the largest functioning medical facility in the south, jeopardizing patients’ lives, according to Gaza’s health ministry.
