The UN Secretary-General has urgently requested an independent investigation into the tragic killing of Palestinians near an aid distribution center in Gaza on Sunday. This incident has been marked by conflicting reports, particularly allegations that Israeli forces opened fire on civilians waiting to receive humanitarian assistance. Eyewitnesses have recounted harrowing experiences of being shot at while attempting to collect food from the center in Rafah, which is operated by the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), a joint initiative supported by the US and Israel.
According to the Red Cross, its hospital in Rafah received a staggering 179 casualties, with 21 individuals declared dead on arrival. Meanwhile, the Hamas-run Civil Defence agency reported a higher death toll of 31. The violence erupted as thousands of desperate civilians gathered near the aid center, illustrating the dire humanitarian crisis facing the region.
On Sunday, the Israeli military firmly denied that its troops had fired at civilians close to the humanitarian site, labeling the reports as false. In a subsequent interview, UN Human Rights Chief Volker Turk criticized the current methods of delivering humanitarian aid, calling them "unacceptable" and "dehumanizing." Turk emphasized the desperation of civilians who have been without essential supplies for nearly three months, stating, "Can you imagine people that have been absolutely desperate for food, for medicine?"
The Civil Defence agency reported that Israeli gunfire targeted civilians near the American aid center in Rafah early on Sunday morning, resulting in 31 deaths and 176 injuries. The International Committee of the Red Cross corroborated this by noting that the majority of those admitted to their field hospital were suffering from gunshot or shrapnel wounds. Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) added that their teams in Khan Younis were treating many patients in critical condition, with accounts detailing that individuals were shot at from various sources, including Israeli drones and tanks.
A journalist on the ground described the chaotic scene, stating that a crowd had congregated near the al-Alam roundabout when Israeli tanks reportedly opened fire. A video shared online depicted Palestinians seeking cover amidst what was characterized as automatic gunfire, though the BBC has been unable to verify the video's authenticity.
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) issued a statement claiming that an initial inquiry found no evidence that its troops fired on civilians near the aid distribution site. Brigadier General Effie Defrin accused Hamas of disseminating false information to obstruct civilians from accessing aid. The IDF also released drone footage alleging that armed individuals were firing at civilians trying to collect assistance, although the authenticity of this footage has not been verified.
In a further statement, an Israeli military official indicated that warning shots had been fired to deter suspects approaching the forces from approximately 1 kilometer away, asserting there was no connection between this incident and the allegations against the IDF. The GHF, however, vehemently denied any reports of violence occurring during their operations, calling the claims "outright fabrications."
As the situation escalated, health officials reported that an additional three Palestinians were killed by Israeli gunfire near the same GHF center in Rafah's Tal al-Sultan area on Monday. A spokesman for the Red Cross stated that their field hospital had treated 50 wounded individuals, with two pronounced dead upon arrival. The ongoing violence has led to further casualties, with the Civil Defence reporting additional deaths, including children and women, from an Israeli strike on a residential building in Jabalia.
The humanitarian crisis in Gaza is exacerbated by Israel's total blockade imposed on March 2, followed by a resumption of military operations against Hamas. Israeli officials have stated that these measures are aimed at pressuring the armed group to release hostages. Since the commencement of the military campaign on October 7, over 54,000 people have reportedly died in Gaza, highlighting the severe impact of the conflict on the civilian population.
As the situation continues to unfold, the international community calls for accountability and urgent measures to address the humanitarian needs of those affected by the ongoing violence in Gaza.
