Israeli troops fire warning shots as desperate Palestinians rush into new Gaza food centre
Chaos erupted on the second day of aid operations by a new US-backed group in Gaza as desperate Palestinians overwhelmed a centre distributing food on Tuesday, breaking through fences. Nearby Israeli troops fired warning shots, sending people fleeing in panic.
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An Associated Press journalist heard Israeli tank and gunfire and saw a military helicopter firing flares. The Israeli military said its troops fired the warning shots in the area outside the centre and that 'control over the situation was established'.
At least three injured Palestinians were seen by AP being brought from the scene, one of them bleeding from his leg.
The distribution hub outside Gaza's southernmost city of Rafah had been opened the day before by the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, which has been slated by Israel to take over aid operations.
The UN and other humanitarian organisations have rejected the new system, saying it will not be able to meet the needs of Gaza's 2.3 million people and allows Israel to use food as a weapon to control the population. They have also warned of the risk of friction between Israeli troops and people seeking supplies.
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Palestinians have become desperate for food after nearly three months of Israeli blockade pushed Gaza to the brink of famine.
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