Palestinians say they were killed by Israeli fire near the aid site. Israel says it fires warning shots
Palestinian health officials and witnesses said at least five people were killed and others were injured by the Israeli fire on Sunday, heading to two aid distribution points in the Gaza Strip run by Israeli and U.S.-backed groups. Israel's army said it fired warning guns at those approaching the troops.
Four bodies were taken to Nasser Hospital in Khan Yunis, a city in southern Gaza. Palestinian witnesses said Israeli troops opened fire at them at a roundabout about one kilometre from the site where the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation operates in the nearby city of Rafa.
The Israeli military said it fired warning shots at people, saying the suspect was heading towards the troops, ignoring the warning. It said the shooting occurred in a southern Gaza area, which is considered an active combat zone at night.
Meanwhile, Al-Awda Hospital said in a statement that it received the bodies of a 42-year-old man and 29 people who were injured near another GHF aid distribution point in central Gaza. The military said it fired warning shots in the area around 6:40 a.m. but saw no casualties.
A GHF spokesman said there was no violence at its distribution location or around, and the three venues provided assistance on Sunday. The group temporarily closed them last week to discuss security measures with the Israeli military and warn people to continue using designated access routes. The spokesperson spoke on anonymous conditions consistent with the regulations.
Deadly shooting near new aid hub
Over the past two weeks, shootings have occurred frequently near the new hub, with thousands of desperate Palestinians being directed to collect food. Witnesses said nearby Israeli troops opened fire and more than 80 people were killed, according to Gaza hospital officials. Israel's army said it fired warning shots, or in some cases, individuals approaching its troops.
Witnesses said the shooting in southern Gaza happened around 6 a.m. Sunday when they were told the site would be open. Many people move towards it early, trying to urgently need food before the crowds.
Adham Dahman, 30, who was bandaged at Nasser Hospital, said a tank had opened a can at them.
“We don't know how to escape,” he said. “It's a trap for us, helpless.”
Another witness, Zahed Ben Hassan, said someone next to him was shot and killed. He said he and others pulled the body out of the scene and managed to escape to the hospital.
“They said it was a safe area, from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. … So why did they start shooting us?” he said. “There is light, they have cameras that can see us clearly.”
The military announced on Friday that the locations will be open within that hour, and the area will be a closed military area from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m.
The risk of famine
The hubs were established within the Israeli military zone (inaccessible to independent media) and operated by the new GHF, mainly U.S. contractor. Israel hopes it replaces the system coordinated by the United Nations and international aid organizations.
Israel and the United States accuse the radical Hamas group of theft of aid, while the United Nations denies any systematic transfer. The United Nations said the new system could not meet the growing demand and allowed Israel to use aid as a weapon by determining who can receive aid and forcing people to relocate to the location of aid sites.
Meanwhile, the UN system has worked to provide assistance – even after Israel completely blocked Gaza last month. UN officials said their efforts were hampered by Israeli military restrictions, collapse of law and order, and widespread robbery.
Front burner40:17When hunger is a weapon
Since October 7, Gaza and its system restriction of Israel’s food has become the subject of international condemnation. The latest incident was the killing of dozens of Palestinians who tried to get food from aid distribution centers. Israeli settlers have blocked roads and aid delivery. Aid convoys and workers were also subject to violence. As of March, Israel had established a full blockade of aid to the Gaza Strip. Today, entry into the territory is allowed. International organizations have warned of the famine in Gaza for more than a year. Alex de Waal is executive director of the World Peace Foundation at Tufts University and the author of “Popular Hunger: The History and Future of Famine.” He joined the show to discuss hunger crime, why food weapons continued during wartime and how famine proved difficult to prosecute in court. For the transcript of the front burner, visit: https://www.cbc.ca/radio/frontburner/transscripts
Experts warned that earlier this year, Gaza faces the danger of famine if Israel does not lift the blockade and stop its military movements, and Israeli officials said it will continue until all hostages are returned and Hamas’ defeat or lifted and sent to exile.
Hamas said it would only release the remaining hostages in exchange for Palestinian prisoners, a lasting ceasefire and Israel's evacuation from Gaza. Talks mediated by the United States, Egypt and Qatar have been at a standstill for months.
In another development, the Israeli military accused spokesman Gaza civil defense of a civil defense that was an active Hamas member.
The Associated Press was unable to verify the documents independently, which allegedly indicated that Mahmoud Bassal joined Hamas in 2005. Barcels did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Civil Defense is the first responder to operating under the Hamas-operated government, usually the first to arrive at the Israeli strike.
According to the Soles of Israel, Hamas began the war with its massive attack on southern Israel, when Palestinian militants killed about 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and took another 251 hostages. They are still holding 55 hostages, most of whom are released after a ceasefire agreement or other transactions.
Israel has recovered dozens of bodies, including three in recent days, and rescued eight living hostages during the war.
According to the Gaza Ministry of Health, Israel's military campaign killed more than 54,000 Palestinians. It said women and children made up most of the dead, but did not say how many civilians or combatants were killed. Israel said it has killed more than 20,000 militants and provided no evidence.
The war destroyed a vast area of Gaza and displaced about 90% of the population. The territory's approximately 2 million Palestinians rely almost exclusively on international aid, as almost all of Gaza's food production capacity is destroyed.
Warning: Video contains graphic images | At least 25 Palestinians were killed near a food distribution center in Gaza when Israeli troops opened fire, saying the expected target was “suspect”.
