Israeli attacks on aid centre kills three, raises death toll of relief seekers to 52

Middle East Eye

5 days ago

Israeli attacks on Palestinians seeking aid at a US-backed relief distribution centre in Rafah, southern Gaza, have resulted in the deaths of at least three people and injured 35 others.
On Monday, the Gaza Government Media Office released a statement describing Israel's actions as "continuing the policy of starvation and systematic targeting of civilians for 93 days".
"The 'Israeli' occupation forces committed a new crime by killing three starving civilians and injuring 35 others near so-called 'aid' distribution centers in Rafah," the statement read.
Since the US-Israeli initiative of distributing aid began on 27 May, more than 52 people have been killed in assaults launched on starving civilians seeking food and essential supplies, with 340 more wounded.
On Sunday, Israeli forces carried out a massacre targeting Palestinian aid seekers in the Gaza Strip, killing at least 32 people and wounding scores more, the Palestinian health ministry said on Sunday.
New MEE newsletter: Jerusalem Dispatch
Sign up to get the latest insights and analysis on Israel-Palestine, alongside Turkey Unpacked and other MEE newsletters
According to eyewitnesses and local officials, Israeli troops opened fire directly on civilians gathered at two US-Israeli food distribution points in Rafah and central Gaza.
At least 31 people were killed in Rafah and one in central Gaza, while over 200 were wounded, many of them critically.
Israel kills 32 starving Palestinians in latest US aid point 'massacre' Read More »
Doctors Without Borders (MSF) has condemned these assaults, stressing that "weaponising aid in this manner may constitute crimes against humanity".
Claire Manera, MSF emergency coordinator, said the attack on Sunday displayed how "dehumanising, dangerous and severely ineffective" the new Israeli-US aid distribution system is.
'It has resulted in deaths and injuries of civilians that could have been prevented. Humanitarian aid must be provided only by humanitarian organisations who have the competence and determination to do it safely and effectively,' she added.
Civilians in Gaza have been desperately seeking food supplies, as no essentials or humanitarian aid have entered the area since a complete Israeli siege began on 2 March.
The Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), a controversial US organisation backed by Israel, was launched to bypass the UN's aid infrastructure in Gaza.
Senior humanitarian officials have condemned the scheme, saying Israel should stop blocking the UN-led system and allow aid to flow without obstruction.
Most humanitarian organisations, including the UN, have distanced themselves from GHF, arguing that the group violates humanitarian principles by restricting aid to south and central Gaza; requiring Palestinians to walk long distances to collect aid; and only providing limited aid, among other critiques.