In a harrowing incident near an aid distribution site in Gaza, 24 individuals were reported killed amid accusations of gunfire from Israeli troops. The ongoing humanitarian crisis exacerbates as aid remains scarce for the beleaguered population facing severe shortages.
Rising Casualties Amid Aid Distribution Crisis in Gaza
Rising Casualties Amid Aid Distribution Crisis in Gaza
The Nasser hospital reports 24 fatalities as tension escalates during aid distribution attempts, with allegations against the Israel Defense Forces.
The Nasser hospital in southern Gaza has reported a tragic incident in which 24 individuals lost their lives near an aid distribution site. Witnesses claim that Israeli troops opened fire while civilians were attempting to access much-needed food supplies on Saturday. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF), however, asserted that there were "no known injured individuals" resulting from their gunfire in the vicinity.
In the aftermath of the shooting, footage shared by the BBC depicted numerous body bags positioned in the courtyard of Nasser hospital, surrounded by nurses and distressed individuals wearing blood-spattered clothing. One man featured in an unverified video stated that a group of people waiting for aid experienced targeted fire for up to five minutes. A paramedic on the scene accused Israeli forces of cold-blooded killings.
Witnesses who spoke to Reuters described harrowing scenes, indicating that some victims were shot in the head and torso, while the agency itself confirmed seeing bodies wrapped in white shrouds at the hospital. Reports of fatalities among civilians striving to secure food have become almost routine in Gaza.
Israel's total blockade of aid to the region began in March, later escalating military actions against Hamas that resulted in the end of a two-month ceasefire. The blockade saw a temporary reprieve in late May due to growing concerns of a famine, but severe shortages of food, medicine, and fuel remain dire. According to the UN agency for Palestinian refugees, Unrwa, there are thousands of malnourished children in Gaza, with new cases emerging daily.
To address the humanitarian crisis, Israel and the U.S. established a new aid distribution initiative managed by the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), claiming an intention to prevent Hamas from seizing aid supplies. However, the UN human rights office reported that approximately 798 aid-related killings have occurred, predominantly in proximity to areas managed by GHF, which operates under US private security oversight within military zones. Additionally, 183 killings were reported near UN and other exceptional aid convoys.
The Israeli military has acknowledged instances where civilians were harmed and stated it is working diligently to reduce potential conflict between Israeli forces and the local population. In contrast, GHF criticized the UN for allegedly using inaccurate statistics derived from Gaza's Hamas-controlled health ministry.
A former security contractor for GHF previously disclosed to the BBC that he observed colleagues firing upon hungry Palestinians who posed no threat. GHF has dismissed these claims as categorically untrue.
The military conflicts reignited after Hamas initiated a cross-border attack on October 7, 2023, leading to approximately 1,200 Israeli fatalities and 251 reported hostages. Since this escalation, Gaza's health ministry has reported at least 57,823 fatalities.
