More than 23 Gazans dead in latest round of shootings at Israeli-backed aid centre in Rafah

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At least 23 people have been killed and 200 others injured after Israeli troops opened fire near a food distribution site in Gaza, medics say.
The shooting near a US-operated Gaza Humanitarian Foundation site in Rafah is the latest in daily mass shootings that have killed hundreds of Palestinians seeking aid since Israel imposed a new distribution system that blocked international agencies.
"We were walking on our way to get the aid, when a quad[copter] started firing at us," said a relative of a Palestinian who was shot.
"We began to flee, but he was hit by gunfire from the quad."
Gazan doctor Ahmed Alfara said people going to the aid centre were targeted by snipers.
"As you see, it is gunshot in the head, the brain matter is out. This is one of the most catastrophic and serious complications of the distribution of aid."
There was no immediate comment from the Israeli military about the latest reports of shootings but in previous incidents, it acknowledged that troops opened fire near aid sites and blamed militants for provoking the violence.
Relatives arrived at Nasser Hospital to mourn the dead, who were wrapped in white shrouds.
"We went there thinking we would get aid to feed our children, but it turned out to be a trap, a killing. I advise everyone: don't go there," said Ahmed Fayad, one of those who tried to reach aid on Monday.
Hours later, local health authorities said Israeli gunfire killed at least five people and wounded dozens of others as crowds of Palestinians gathered along the coastal road awaiting UN-funded aid trucks to enter the northern Gaza area.
Witnesses said dozens of desperate people looted four truckloads of food packages.
On Sunday, at least five people were killed as thousands of Palestinians approached two GHF distribution sites in the central and southern parts of the enclave.
The GHF said in a statement that it resumed food deliveries on Sunday, distributing more than 2 million meals from its three distribution sites without incident.
Since Israel blocked all international aid entering Gaza three months ago, it appointed a new US-backed group, the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), to operate three sites in areas guarded by Israeli troops.
In a statement released after Monday's shootings, GHF said it distributed more than 3 million meals at its four distribution sites without incident.
But Dr Alfara, who witnessed the shootings, called the centres a "100 per cent" failure and wanted the UN and NGOS to resume operating aid distribution centres.
The United Nations has consistently rejected the plan, saying GHF distribution is inadequate, dangerous and violates humanitarian impartiality principles.
UN rights chief Volker Türk told the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva that Israel had "weaponised" food in Gaza and repeated calls for investigations into deadly attacks near distribution sites.
"Israel's means and methods of warfare are inflicting horrifying, unconscionable suffering on Palestinians in Gaza," said Mr Türk.
The head of the UN Palestinian refugees agency UNRWA, Philippe Lazzarini, reiterated on social media that despite an abundance of aid ready to be distributed, Israeli-imposed restrictions continued and called the current arrangement a "lethal distribution system".
Before the new system was imposed, UN agencies with local staff distributed aid to Gaza's 2.3 million residents across hundreds of sites.
Israel says it has had to crack down on distribution because Hamas fighters were diverting food aid but the militants deny this and say Israel is using hunger as a weapon.
Before Monday's incident, the Health Ministry in Hamas-run Gaza said that at least 300 people had been killed and more than 2,600 wounded near aid distribution sites since the GHF began operations in late May.
The war in Gaza erupted 20 months ago after Hamas-led militants raided Israel and took 251 hostages and killed 1,200 people, most of them civilians, on October 7, 2023, Israel's single deadliest day.
Israel's military campaign since then has killed nearly 55,000 Palestinians, most of them civilians, according to health authorities in Gaza, and flattened much of the densely populated strip.
Most of the population is displaced, and widespread malnutrition is a significant concern.
Reuters