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ARN News Center
3 days ago
- Health
- ARN News Center
Israeli attack near aid delivery point kills 31 in Gaza, truce talks falter
An Israeli attack near an aid distribution point run by a private US-based group killed at least 31 people in Gaza on Sunday, local health authorities said, as Hamas and Israel exchanged blame over a faltering effort to secure a ceasefire. The incident in Rafah in the south of the enclave was the latest in a series underscoring the volatile security situation that has complicated aid delivery to Gaza, following the easing of an almost three-month Israeli blockade last month. "There are martyrs and injuries. Many injuries. It is a tragic situation in this place. I advise them that nobody goes to aid delivery points. Enough,' paramedic Abu Tareq said at Nasser Hospital in nearby Khan Younis city. The Palestinian Red Crescent, affiliated with the international Red Cross, said its medical teams had recovered bodies of 23 Palestinians and treated another 23 injured near an aid collection site in Rafah. The US-based Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF) operates the aid distribution sites in Rafah. The Red Crescent also reported that 14 more Palestinians were injured near a separate site in central Gaza. GHF also operates the aid distribution site in central Gaza. Earlier, the Palestinian news agency WAFA and Hamas-affiliated media put the number of deaths at 30. Local health authorities said at least 31 bodies had so far arrived at Nasser Hospital. Israel's military said in a statement it was looking into reports that Palestinians had been shot at an aid distribution site but it was unaware of injuries caused by military fire. GHF denied anyone was killed or injured near their site in Rafah and that all of its distribution had taken place without incident. The US company accused Hamas of fabricating "fake reports". Residents and medics said Israeli soldiers fired from the ground at a crane nearby that overlooks the area, and a tank opened fire at thousands of people who were en route to get aid from the site in Rafah. Reuters footage showed ambulance vehicles carrying injured people to Nasser Hospital. The Hamas-run Gaza government media office said Israel has turned the distribution sites into "death traps" for people seeking aid. "We affirm to the world that what is taking place is a deliberate and malicious use of aid as a 'weapon of war', employed to exploit starving civilians and forcibly gather them at exposed killing zones, which are managed and monitored by the Israeli military," it said. Reda Abu Jazar said her brother was killed as he waited to collect food at an aid distribution centre in Rafah. "Let them stop these massacres, stop this genocide. They are killing us," she said, as Palestinian men gathered for funeral prayers. Arafat Siyam said that his brother had left at 11:00 p.m. the previous evening to collect food for his wife and eight children from the same distribution site in Rafah, south Gaza. Siyam accused the Israeli military of killing his brother. "This is unfair. What they are doing is unfair," he said. GHF is backed by the US and Israeli governments that provides humanitarian aid in Gaza, bypassing traditional relief groups. It began work in Gaza last month and has three sites from where thousands have collected aid. GHF has been widely criticised by the international community, with UN officials saying its aid plans would only foment forced relocation of Palestinians and more violence. The group's executive director resigned in May, citing what he said was the entity's lack of independence and neutrality. It is not clear who is funding the company. Israeli officials have said that Palestinians collecting aid would be screened to exclude anyone linked to Hamas. CEASEFIRE TALKS FALTER Sunday's incident happened as Israel and Hamas traded blame for the faltering of a new Arab and US mediation bid to secure a temporary ceasefire and the release of Israeli hostages held in Gaza by Hamas, in exchange for Palestinians in Israeli jails. Hamas said on Saturday it was seeking amendments to a US-backed ceasefire proposal, but President Donald Trump's envoy rejected the group's response as "totally unacceptable". Hamas said it was willing to release 10 living hostages and hand over the bodies of 18 dead in exchange for Palestinian prisoners in Israeli prisons. But Hamas reiterated demands for an end to the war and withdrawal of Israeli troops from Gaza, conditions Israel has rejected. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that his government had agreed to Witkoff's outline. Israel began its offensive in Gaza in response to the Hamas-led attack on communities in southern Israel on October 7, 2023, which killed 1,200 people, mostly civilians, according to Israeli tallies, and saw 251 taken as hostages into Gaza. Israel's campaign has devastated much of Gaza, killing over 54,000 Palestinians and destroying most buildings. Much of the population now live in shelters in makeshift camps. Gaza health officials report that most of the dead are civilians, though the number of militants killed remains unclear.
The Herald Scotland
3 days ago
- Health
- The Herald Scotland
Israeli attack near aid point kills 31 in Gaza, truce talks falter
"There are martyrs and injuries. Many injuries. It is a tragic situation in this place. I advise them that nobody goes to aid delivery points. Enough," paramedic Abu Tareq said at Nasser Hospital in nearby Khan Younis city. The Palestinian Red Crescent, affiliated with the international Red Cross, said its medical teams had recovered bodies of 23 Palestinians and treated another 23 injured near an aid collection site in Rafah. The U.S.-based Gaza Humanitarian Foundation operates the aid distribution sites in Rafah. The Red Crescent also reported that 14 more Palestinians were injured near a separate site in central Gaza. GHF also operates the aid distribution site in central Gaza. Earlier, the Palestinian news agency WAFA and Hamas-affiliated media put the number of deaths at 30. Local health authorities said at least 31 bodies had so far arrived at Nasser Hospital. Israel's military said in a statement it was looking into reports that Palestinians had been shot at an aid distribution site but it was unaware of injuries caused by military fire. GHF denied anyone was killed or injured near their site in Rafah and that all of its distribution had taken place without incident. The U.S. company accused Hamas of fabricating "fake reports". Residents and medics said Israeli soldiers fired from the ground at a crane nearby that overlooks the area, and a tank opened fire at thousands of people who were en route to get aid from the site in Rafah. Reuters footage showed ambulance vehicles carrying injured people to Nasser Hospital. The Hamas-run Gaza government media office said Israel has turned the distribution sites into "death traps" for people seeking aid. "We affirm to the world that what is taking place is a deliberate and malicious use of aid as a 'weapon of war', employed to exploit starving civilians and forcibly gather them at exposed killing zones, which are managed and monitored by the Israeli military," it said. Reda Abu Jazar said her brother was killed as he waited to collect food at an aid distribution centre in Rafah. "Let them stop these massacres, stop this genocide. They are killing us," she said, as Palestinian men gathered for funeral prayers. Arafat Siyam said that his brother had left at 11:00 p.m. the previous evening to collect food for his wife and eight children from the same distribution site in Rafah, south Gaza. Siyam accused the Israeli military of killing his brother. "This is unfair. What they are doing is unfair," he said. GHF is a U.S.-based entity backed by the U.S. and Israeli governments that provides humanitarian aid in Gaza, bypassing traditional relief groups. It began work in Gaza last month and has three sites from where thousands have collected aid. GHF has been widely criticised by the international community, with U.N. officials saying its aid plans would only foment forced relocation of Palestinians and more violence. The group's executive director resigned in May, citing what he said was the entity's lack of independence and neutrality. It is not clear who is funding the company. Israeli officials have said that Palestinians collecting aid would be screened to exclude anyone linked to Hamas. Ceasefire talks falter Sunday's incident happened as Israel and Hamas traded blame for the faltering of a new Arab and U.S. mediation bid to secure a temporary ceasefire and the release of Israeli hostages held in Gaza by Hamas, in exchange for Palestinians in Israeli jails. Hamas said on Saturday it was seeking amendments to a U.S.-backed ceasefire proposal, but President Donald Trump's envoy rejected the group's response as "totally unacceptable." The Palestinian militant group said it was willing to release 10 living hostages and hand over the bodies of 18 dead in exchange for Palestinian prisoners in Israeli prisons. But Hamas reiterated demands for an end to the war and withdrawal of Israeli troops from Gaza, conditions Israel has rejected. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that his government had agreed to Witkoff's outline. Israel began its offensive in Gaza in response to the Hamas-led attack on communities in southern Israel on October 7, 2023, which killed 1,200 people, mostly civilians, according to Israeli tallies, and saw 251 taken as hostages into Gaza. Israel's campaign has devastated much of Gaza, killing over 54,000 Palestinians and destroying most buildings. Much of the population now live in shelters in makeshift camps. Gaza health officials report that most of the dead are civilians, though the number of militants killed remains unclear. (Reporting by Nidal al-Mughrabi, Ali Sawafta and Jaidaa Taha. Additional reporting by Hatem Khaled in Gaza; Editing by Clarence Fernandez, William Maclean)
The Advertiser
4 days ago
- Health
- The Advertiser
More than 30 aid seekers killed in Gaza
More than 30 Palestinians were killed and nearly 170 injured in Gaza near a food distribution site, the health ministry says, as witnesses report Israeli soldiers fired on people trying to collect aid and Israel denied it. The US-based Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF) said food was handed out without incident on Sunday at the distribution point in Rafah and there were no deaths or injuries. GHF released undated video to support its statement that showed dozens of people gathering around piles of boxes. Reuters could not independently verify the video or what took place. Witnesses said the Israeli military opened fire as thousands of Palestinians gathered to receive food aid. Israel's military said an initial inquiry found soldiers had not fired on civilians while they were near or within the distribution site. The Hamas-controlled Gaza health ministry said 31 people were killed with a single gunshot wound to the head or chest from Israeli fire as they were gathered in the Al-Alam district aid distribution area in Rafah. It said 169 were injured. Residents and medics also said an Israeli tank had opened fire at thousands of people en route to the Rafah site. The International Committee of the Red Cross said its field hospital in Rafah received 179 casualties, most with gunshot or shrapnel wounds. "All patients said they had been trying to reach an aid distribution site. This is the highest number of weapon-wounded in a single incident since the establishment of the field hospital over a year ago," the Red Cross said. The UN has said most of Gaza's two million population is at risk of famine after an 11-week Israeli blockade on aid entering the strip. The GHF aid plan, which bypasses traditional aid groups, has come under fierce criticism from the UN and humanitarian organisations which say GHF does not follow humanitarian principles. There were chaotic scenes as hungry Gazans rushed its sites last last week. Hamas reported deaths and injuries in the tumult and Israel said its troops fired warning shots. Because the GHF distribution points are few and all in south Gaza, UN officials have said its plans force Palestinians, especially in the north, to relocate and face unsafe conditions. Philippe Lazzarini, head of the UN's Palestinian relief agency, condemned Sunday's deaths and said in a statement on X that "aid distribution has become a death trap". The Hamas-run Gaza government media office accused Israel of using aid as a weapon, "employed to exploit starving civilians and forcibly gather them at exposed killing zones, which are managed and monitored by the Israeli military". At Nasser Hospital in nearby Khan Younis city where some casualties were brought, Gaza paramedic Abu Tareq said there was "a tragic situation in this place. I advise them that nobody goes to aid delivery points". Israel denies that people in Gaza are starving because of its actions, saying it is facilitating aid deliveries and pointing to its endorsement of the new GHF distribution centres and its consent for other aid trucks to enter Gaza. Israel accuses Hamas of stealing supplies intended for civilians and using them to entrench its hold on Gaza. Hamas denies looting supplies and has executed a number of suspected looters. Reda Abu Jazar said her brother was killed as he waited to collect food near the Rafah aid distribution centre. "Let them stop these massacres, stop this genocide. They are killing us," she said. The Red Crescent reported that 14 Palestinians were injured on Sunday near a separate GHF aid site in central Gaza. More than 30 Palestinians were killed and nearly 170 injured in Gaza near a food distribution site, the health ministry says, as witnesses report Israeli soldiers fired on people trying to collect aid and Israel denied it. The US-based Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF) said food was handed out without incident on Sunday at the distribution point in Rafah and there were no deaths or injuries. GHF released undated video to support its statement that showed dozens of people gathering around piles of boxes. Reuters could not independently verify the video or what took place. Witnesses said the Israeli military opened fire as thousands of Palestinians gathered to receive food aid. Israel's military said an initial inquiry found soldiers had not fired on civilians while they were near or within the distribution site. The Hamas-controlled Gaza health ministry said 31 people were killed with a single gunshot wound to the head or chest from Israeli fire as they were gathered in the Al-Alam district aid distribution area in Rafah. It said 169 were injured. Residents and medics also said an Israeli tank had opened fire at thousands of people en route to the Rafah site. The International Committee of the Red Cross said its field hospital in Rafah received 179 casualties, most with gunshot or shrapnel wounds. "All patients said they had been trying to reach an aid distribution site. This is the highest number of weapon-wounded in a single incident since the establishment of the field hospital over a year ago," the Red Cross said. The UN has said most of Gaza's two million population is at risk of famine after an 11-week Israeli blockade on aid entering the strip. The GHF aid plan, which bypasses traditional aid groups, has come under fierce criticism from the UN and humanitarian organisations which say GHF does not follow humanitarian principles. There were chaotic scenes as hungry Gazans rushed its sites last last week. Hamas reported deaths and injuries in the tumult and Israel said its troops fired warning shots. Because the GHF distribution points are few and all in south Gaza, UN officials have said its plans force Palestinians, especially in the north, to relocate and face unsafe conditions. Philippe Lazzarini, head of the UN's Palestinian relief agency, condemned Sunday's deaths and said in a statement on X that "aid distribution has become a death trap". The Hamas-run Gaza government media office accused Israel of using aid as a weapon, "employed to exploit starving civilians and forcibly gather them at exposed killing zones, which are managed and monitored by the Israeli military". At Nasser Hospital in nearby Khan Younis city where some casualties were brought, Gaza paramedic Abu Tareq said there was "a tragic situation in this place. I advise them that nobody goes to aid delivery points". Israel denies that people in Gaza are starving because of its actions, saying it is facilitating aid deliveries and pointing to its endorsement of the new GHF distribution centres and its consent for other aid trucks to enter Gaza. Israel accuses Hamas of stealing supplies intended for civilians and using them to entrench its hold on Gaza. Hamas denies looting supplies and has executed a number of suspected looters. Reda Abu Jazar said her brother was killed as he waited to collect food near the Rafah aid distribution centre. "Let them stop these massacres, stop this genocide. They are killing us," she said. The Red Crescent reported that 14 Palestinians were injured on Sunday near a separate GHF aid site in central Gaza. More than 30 Palestinians were killed and nearly 170 injured in Gaza near a food distribution site, the health ministry says, as witnesses report Israeli soldiers fired on people trying to collect aid and Israel denied it. The US-based Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF) said food was handed out without incident on Sunday at the distribution point in Rafah and there were no deaths or injuries. GHF released undated video to support its statement that showed dozens of people gathering around piles of boxes. Reuters could not independently verify the video or what took place. Witnesses said the Israeli military opened fire as thousands of Palestinians gathered to receive food aid. Israel's military said an initial inquiry found soldiers had not fired on civilians while they were near or within the distribution site. The Hamas-controlled Gaza health ministry said 31 people were killed with a single gunshot wound to the head or chest from Israeli fire as they were gathered in the Al-Alam district aid distribution area in Rafah. It said 169 were injured. Residents and medics also said an Israeli tank had opened fire at thousands of people en route to the Rafah site. The International Committee of the Red Cross said its field hospital in Rafah received 179 casualties, most with gunshot or shrapnel wounds. "All patients said they had been trying to reach an aid distribution site. This is the highest number of weapon-wounded in a single incident since the establishment of the field hospital over a year ago," the Red Cross said. The UN has said most of Gaza's two million population is at risk of famine after an 11-week Israeli blockade on aid entering the strip. The GHF aid plan, which bypasses traditional aid groups, has come under fierce criticism from the UN and humanitarian organisations which say GHF does not follow humanitarian principles. There were chaotic scenes as hungry Gazans rushed its sites last last week. Hamas reported deaths and injuries in the tumult and Israel said its troops fired warning shots. Because the GHF distribution points are few and all in south Gaza, UN officials have said its plans force Palestinians, especially in the north, to relocate and face unsafe conditions. Philippe Lazzarini, head of the UN's Palestinian relief agency, condemned Sunday's deaths and said in a statement on X that "aid distribution has become a death trap". The Hamas-run Gaza government media office accused Israel of using aid as a weapon, "employed to exploit starving civilians and forcibly gather them at exposed killing zones, which are managed and monitored by the Israeli military". At Nasser Hospital in nearby Khan Younis city where some casualties were brought, Gaza paramedic Abu Tareq said there was "a tragic situation in this place. I advise them that nobody goes to aid delivery points". Israel denies that people in Gaza are starving because of its actions, saying it is facilitating aid deliveries and pointing to its endorsement of the new GHF distribution centres and its consent for other aid trucks to enter Gaza. Israel accuses Hamas of stealing supplies intended for civilians and using them to entrench its hold on Gaza. Hamas denies looting supplies and has executed a number of suspected looters. Reda Abu Jazar said her brother was killed as he waited to collect food near the Rafah aid distribution centre. "Let them stop these massacres, stop this genocide. They are killing us," she said. The Red Crescent reported that 14 Palestinians were injured on Sunday near a separate GHF aid site in central Gaza. More than 30 Palestinians were killed and nearly 170 injured in Gaza near a food distribution site, the health ministry says, as witnesses report Israeli soldiers fired on people trying to collect aid and Israel denied it. The US-based Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF) said food was handed out without incident on Sunday at the distribution point in Rafah and there were no deaths or injuries. GHF released undated video to support its statement that showed dozens of people gathering around piles of boxes. Reuters could not independently verify the video or what took place. Witnesses said the Israeli military opened fire as thousands of Palestinians gathered to receive food aid. Israel's military said an initial inquiry found soldiers had not fired on civilians while they were near or within the distribution site. The Hamas-controlled Gaza health ministry said 31 people were killed with a single gunshot wound to the head or chest from Israeli fire as they were gathered in the Al-Alam district aid distribution area in Rafah. It said 169 were injured. Residents and medics also said an Israeli tank had opened fire at thousands of people en route to the Rafah site. The International Committee of the Red Cross said its field hospital in Rafah received 179 casualties, most with gunshot or shrapnel wounds. "All patients said they had been trying to reach an aid distribution site. This is the highest number of weapon-wounded in a single incident since the establishment of the field hospital over a year ago," the Red Cross said. The UN has said most of Gaza's two million population is at risk of famine after an 11-week Israeli blockade on aid entering the strip. The GHF aid plan, which bypasses traditional aid groups, has come under fierce criticism from the UN and humanitarian organisations which say GHF does not follow humanitarian principles. There were chaotic scenes as hungry Gazans rushed its sites last last week. Hamas reported deaths and injuries in the tumult and Israel said its troops fired warning shots. Because the GHF distribution points are few and all in south Gaza, UN officials have said its plans force Palestinians, especially in the north, to relocate and face unsafe conditions. Philippe Lazzarini, head of the UN's Palestinian relief agency, condemned Sunday's deaths and said in a statement on X that "aid distribution has become a death trap". The Hamas-run Gaza government media office accused Israel of using aid as a weapon, "employed to exploit starving civilians and forcibly gather them at exposed killing zones, which are managed and monitored by the Israeli military". At Nasser Hospital in nearby Khan Younis city where some casualties were brought, Gaza paramedic Abu Tareq said there was "a tragic situation in this place. I advise them that nobody goes to aid delivery points". Israel denies that people in Gaza are starving because of its actions, saying it is facilitating aid deliveries and pointing to its endorsement of the new GHF distribution centres and its consent for other aid trucks to enter Gaza. Israel accuses Hamas of stealing supplies intended for civilians and using them to entrench its hold on Gaza. Hamas denies looting supplies and has executed a number of suspected looters. Reda Abu Jazar said her brother was killed as he waited to collect food near the Rafah aid distribution centre. "Let them stop these massacres, stop this genocide. They are killing us," she said. The Red Crescent reported that 14 Palestinians were injured on Sunday near a separate GHF aid site in central Gaza.
Otago Daily Times
4 days ago
- Health
- Otago Daily Times
More than 30 aid seekers killed, Gaza claims
More than 30 Palestinians were killed and nearly 170 injured in south Gaza near a food distribution site, the health ministry said, as witnesses reported Israeli soldiers fired on people trying to collect aid and Israel denied it. The US-based Gaza Humanitarian Foundation said food was handed out without incident on Sunday (local time) at the distribution point in Rafah and there were no deaths or injuries. GHF released undated video to support its statement that showed dozens of people gathering around piles of boxes. Reuters could not independently verify the video or what took place. Witnesses said the Israeli military opened fire as thousands of Palestinians gathered to receive food aid. Israel's military said that an initial inquiry found soldiers had not fired on civilians while they were near or within the distribution site. The Hamas-controlled Gaza health ministry said 31 people were killed with a single gunshot wound to the head or chest from Israeli fire as they were gathered in the Al-Alam district aid distribution area in Rafah. It said 169 were injured. In addition to Israeli gunshots, residents and medics said an Israeli tank had opened fire at thousands of people en route to the Rafah site. The International Committee of the Red Cross said its field hospital in Rafah received 179 casualties, most with gunshot or shrapnel wounds. "All patients said they had been trying to reach an aid distribution site. This is the highest number of weapon-wounded in a single incident since the establishment of the field hospital over a year ago," ICRC said. The United Nations has said most of Gaza's 2 million population is at risk of famine after an 11-week Israeli blockade on aid entering the strip. The Gaza Humanitarian Foundation launched its first distribution sites last week and said it would launch more. The Israeli military has said GHF had established four sites so far. The organization's aid plan, which bypasses traditional aid groups, has come under fierce criticism from the United Nations and humanitarian organizations which say GHF does not follow humanitarian principles. There were chaotic scenes as hungry Gazans rushed its sites last week. Hamas reported deaths and injuries in the tumult, and Israel said its troops fired warning shots. Because the GHF distribution points are few and all in south Gaza, UN officials have said its plans force Palestinians, especially in the north, to relocate and face unsafe conditions. Philippe Lazzarini, head of the UN's Palestinian relief agency, condemned Sunday's deaths and said in a statement on X that "aid distribution has become a death trap". The Hamas-run Gaza government media office accused Israel of using aid as a weapon, "employed to exploit starving civilians and forcibly gather them at exposed killing zones, which are managed and monitored by the Israeli military". At Nasser Hospital in nearby Khan Younis city where some casualties were brought, Gaza paramedic Abu Tareq said there was "a tragic situation in this place. I advise them that nobody goes to aid delivery points." Israel denies that people in Gaza are starving because of its actions, saying it is facilitating aid deliveries and pointing to its endorsement of the new GHF distribution centres and its consent for other aid trucks to enter Gaza. US President Donald Trump said last month that a lot of people in Gaza were "starving". Israel accuses Hamas of stealing supplies intended for civilians and using them to entrench its hold on Gaza. Hamas denies looting supplies and has executed a number of suspected looters. Reda Abu Jazar said her brother was killed as he waited to collect food near the Rafah aid distribution centre. "Let them stop these massacres, stop this genocide. They are killing us," she said, as Palestinian men gathered for funeral prayers. The Red Crescent reported that 14 Palestinians were injured on Sunday near a separate GHF aid site in central Gaza. CEASEFIRE TALKS FALTER Israel and Hamas meanwhile traded blame for the faltering of a new Arab and US mediation bid to secure a temporary ceasefire and the release of Israeli hostages held in Gaza by Hamas, in exchange for Palestinians in Israeli jails. Hamas said on Saturday it was seeking amendments to a US-backed ceasefire proposal, but Trump's envoy Steve Witkoff rejected the group's response as "totally unacceptable". Egypt and Qatar said in a joint statement that they are continuing efforts to overcome disagreements and reach a ceasefire. Hamas on Sunday welcomed those efforts and expressed its readiness to start a round of indirect negotiations immediately to reach an agreement, the group said on Sunday in a statement. Israel began its offensive in Gaza in response to the Hamas-led attack on southern Israel on October 7, 2023, which killed 1200 people, mostly civilians, according to Israeli tallies, and saw 251 taken as hostages into Gaza. Israel's campaign has devastated much of Gaza, killing more than 54,000 Palestinians and destroying most buildings. Much of the population now lives in shelters in makeshift camps.
West Australian
4 days ago
- Health
- West Australian
More than 30 aid seekers killed in Gaza
More than 30 Palestinians were killed and nearly 170 injured in Gaza near a food distribution site, the health ministry says, as witnesses report Israeli soldiers fired on people trying to collect aid and Israel denied it. The US-based Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF) said food was handed out without incident on Sunday at the distribution point in Rafah and there were no deaths or injuries. GHF released undated video to support its statement that showed dozens of people gathering around piles of boxes. Reuters could not independently verify the video or what took place. Witnesses said the Israeli military opened fire as thousands of Palestinians gathered to receive food aid. Israel's military said an initial inquiry found soldiers had not fired on civilians while they were near or within the distribution site. The Hamas-controlled Gaza health ministry said 31 people were killed with a single gunshot wound to the head or chest from Israeli fire as they were gathered in the Al-Alam district aid distribution area in Rafah. It said 169 were injured. Residents and medics also said an Israeli tank had opened fire at thousands of people en route to the Rafah site. The International Committee of the Red Cross said its field hospital in Rafah received 179 casualties, most with gunshot or shrapnel wounds. "All patients said they had been trying to reach an aid distribution site. This is the highest number of weapon-wounded in a single incident since the establishment of the field hospital over a year ago," the Red Cross said. The UN has said most of Gaza's two million population is at risk of famine after an 11-week Israeli blockade on aid entering the strip. The GHF aid plan, which bypasses traditional aid groups, has come under fierce criticism from the UN and humanitarian organisations which say GHF does not follow humanitarian principles. There were chaotic scenes as hungry Gazans rushed its sites last last week. Hamas reported deaths and injuries in the tumult and Israel said its troops fired warning shots. Because the GHF distribution points are few and all in south Gaza, UN officials have said its plans force Palestinians, especially in the north, to relocate and face unsafe conditions. Philippe Lazzarini, head of the UN's Palestinian relief agency, condemned Sunday's deaths and said in a statement on X that "aid distribution has become a death trap". The Hamas-run Gaza government media office accused Israel of using aid as a weapon, "employed to exploit starving civilians and forcibly gather them at exposed killing zones, which are managed and monitored by the Israeli military". At Nasser Hospital in nearby Khan Younis city where some casualties were brought, Gaza paramedic Abu Tareq said there was "a tragic situation in this place. I advise them that nobody goes to aid delivery points". Israel denies that people in Gaza are starving because of its actions, saying it is facilitating aid deliveries and pointing to its endorsement of the new GHF distribution centres and its consent for other aid trucks to enter Gaza. Israel accuses Hamas of stealing supplies intended for civilians and using them to entrench its hold on Gaza. Hamas denies looting supplies and has executed a number of suspected looters. Reda Abu Jazar said her brother was killed as he waited to collect food near the Rafah aid distribution centre. "Let them stop these massacres, stop this genocide. They are killing us," she said. The Red Crescent reported that 14 Palestinians were injured on Sunday near a separate GHF aid site in central Gaza.
