Dozens of Palestinians killed by Israeli gunfire while queueing for food aid
The shootings occurred near hubs operated by the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, which launched operations in May. The US and Israel are seeking to replace the traditional UN-led aid distribution system in Gaza, asserting that Hamas militants siphon off supplies.
The UN denies their allegation.
While the GHF says it has distributed millions of meals to hungry Palestinians, witnesses say Israeli army fire has killed hundreds of people. As of July 15, the UN said Israelis had killed 674 people looking for food or water.
GHF's four sites are in military-controlled zones. They use private military contractors to guard them. The IDF is not at the sites but secures them from a distance, and says it only fires warning shots if crowds get too close to its forces.
In a statement, the GHF said there were no incidents at or near its sites and added, 'we have repeatedly warned aid seekers not to travel to our sites overnight and early morning hours'.
Most of yesterday's deaths occurred as Palestinians massed together in the Teina area, around 3km from a GHF aid distribution centre near the southern city of Khan Younis. One witness said he was walking with masses of people, mostly young men, toward the hub. Troops fired warning shots, then opened fire.
'The occupation opened fire at us indiscriminately,' he said.
Another witness said troops fired machine guns mounted on tanks and drones. He said the shooting happened between 5am and 6am.
Another 16 people were killed in IDF strikes in separate incidents yesterday.
Another witness there was shooting after the site opened as people seeking aid broke into a run.
'Is this food or death? Why? They don't talk with us, they only shoot us,' she said, and showed off her empty bag.
Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis said it received 25 bodies. Seven other people, including one woman, were killed in the Shakoush area, near another GHF hub in Rafah, the hospital said. Gaza's Health Ministry confirmed the toll.
Dr. Mohamed Saker, head of Nasser's nursing department, said it received 70 wounded people. He told reporters that most people were shot in the head and chest.
'The situation is difficult and tragic,' he said, adding that the facility lacks medical supplies. Some of the wounded, including a child, were treated on the floor.
One boy stood patiently, holding up a blood bag for someone on a stretcher.
Israel and Hamas have been holding ceasefire talks in Qatar, but international mediators say there have been no breakthroughs.
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