On Saturday, in a devastating incident in Deir al-Balah, Gaza Strip, Israeli troops opened fire on crowds of Palestinians seeking food from distribution centers operated by a U.S.- and Israeli-backed group. Witnesses and hospital officials report that at least 32 people were killed during the shootings, highlighting the escalating humanitarian crisis in the region.
The shootings occurred near distribution hubs managed by the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), which has been active since May. The U.S. and Israel aim to replace the traditional U.N.-led aid distribution system in Gaza, alleging that Hamas militants divert essential supplies. However, the U.N. has strongly denied these accusations. While the GHF claims to have distributed millions of meals to those in need, local health officials and numerous witnesses contend that Israeli army fire has resulted in hundreds of deaths as Palestinians attempt to access these aid centers.
The GHF's four distribution sites are located in areas controlled by the military, with the Israeli army securing them from a distance. The military stated that it typically fires warning shots if crowds approach too closely. On the day of the incident, Israeli forces claimed they fired warning shots near the southern city of Rafah after a group of individuals allegedly ignored calls to maintain a safe distance. This incident reportedly occurred overnight when the distribution center was closed.
In a statement, the GHF claimed there were no incidents at or near its sites, reiterating warnings to aid seekers against approaching during nighttime hours. However, many witnesses described a scene of chaos and horror, with reports of indiscriminate fire from Israeli troops. One witness, Mahmoud Mokeimar, recounted that troops began firing at the crowds without provocation, stating, “The occupation opened fire at us indiscriminately.”
The toll of the violence was severe, with Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis receiving 25 bodies, alongside numerous wounded individuals. Dr. Mohamed Saker, head of the nursing department at the hospital, reported that many victims suffered gunshot wounds to critical areas such as the head and chest. The situation in medical facilities remains dire, lacking essential supplies, with some injured, including children, receiving treatment on the floor.
In addition to the fatalities in Khan Younis, two people were killed in an airstrike in Gaza City when a tent sheltering displaced families was struck. Central Gaza's Al-Awda Hospital reported 12 fatalities due to another airstrike, including a local police official and several of his relatives. The ongoing airstrikes have exacerbated the humanitarian crisis, as the region faces a staggering death toll amid escalating violence.
The humanitarian crisis in Gaza has reached catastrophic levels, with over 2 million Palestinians affected. Distribution at GHF sites has been described as chaotic, with food boxes often stacked haphazardly and crowds surging to secure what little aid is available. Videos released by the GHF show contractors using tear gas and stun grenades to control crowds, with gunfire echoing in the background.
The conflict, ignited by Hamas's incursion into southern Israel on October 7, 2023, has resulted in approximately 58,000 Palestinian deaths, as reported by the Gaza Health Ministry. The majority of casualties are civilians, including women and children, raising concerns about the impact of military actions on non-combatants.
Efforts for a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas continue, with talks taking place in Qatar, though mediators have reported no significant breakthroughs. As violence persists, the international community watches closely, hoping for a resolution to the ongoing conflict.
In the occupied West Bank, U.S. Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee visited Taybeh, a Palestinian Christian village, where extremist Israeli settlers set fire to the Church of St. George. Huckabee condemned the act as a crime and an act of terror, highlighting the surge in settler violence since the onset of the Gaza war. Many Palestinians claim that Israeli security forces have failed to intervene effectively to protect them, further escalating tensions in the region.
