In brief
Recent reports indicate that Israeli gunfire has resulted in the deaths of at least 32 Palestinians near two aid distribution points in southern Gaza. The incident has sparked outrage and concern over the treatment of civilians seeking food assistance amidst a worsening humanitarian crisis.
At least 32 Palestinians seeking food assistance have died from Israeli gunfire near two aid distribution points close to Khan Younis and Rafah in southern Gaza, according to the Hamas-run health ministry. Reports indicate that many others were injured near the distribution sites operated by the controversial U.S. and Israeli-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF). Although the GHF has stated that there were no incidents at their sites, they acknowledged "Israel Defense Forces (IDF) activity" preceding the aid distribution.Eyewitness accounts imply that Israeli forces were aiming to kill, with one individual describing the gunfire as directly intended to harm. Throughout the last few months, there have been almost daily incidents of Palestinian casualties while trying to access aid since GHF operations began in late May. The IDF claimed that in this specific incident, troops fired warning shots to deter what they referred to as “suspects" before the aid sites had opened.A Palestinian eyewitness, Mohammed Al-Khalidi, recounted his experience of arriving at an aid distribution area, where he witnessed tanks advance and open fire without warning. He emphasized the lethal nature of the shots fired, arguing that if the intention were merely to disperse or organize the crowd, the soldiers would have acted differently.The GHF, employing private security contractors for aid distribution, operates within declared Israeli military zones, with Israeli and U.S. officials asserting that these measures are critical to prevent Hamas from misappropriating aid. However, the United Nations has refused to collaborate with GHF, labeling the endeavor as unethical and highlighting the absence of substantial evidence of Hamas diverting assistance.As of mid-July, the UN reported 674 fatalities in the vicinity of GHF's sites in southern and central Gaza over the past six weeks, with an additional 201 deaths occurring along UN aid convoy routes. The GHF has denied any violent incidents near its locations, accusing the UN of disseminating what they call "false and misleading" statistics from Gaza's health ministry, which is perceived as a reliable source for local casualty figures.Israel has restricted the entry of international news organizations, including the BBC, from reporting within Gaza. The UN recently disclosed a troubling statistic indicating that the number of acutely malnourished children in Gaza has doubled since restrictions on food began in March. Despite the introduction of the GHF, a significant amount of humanitarian aid, including baby formula, still faces barriers at the border.On Friday, a field hospital director reported an overwhelming influx of patients suffering from severe malnutrition and exhaustion, noting that 69 children had already succumbed to malnutrition in the current humanitarian crisis. U.S. President Donald Trump mentioned the possibility of a ceasefire deal being close; however, a Palestinian official informed the BBC that negotiations remain stalemated, with Israel's latest troop withdrawal proposal deemed unacceptable to Hamas. As violence continues, the situation around Gaza's aid system grows increasingly chaotic.
