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Qatar Tribune
2 days ago
- Politics
- Qatar Tribune
Israel attacks kill 32 Palestinians waiting for food at Gaza aid sites
Agencies Gaza Israel has killed at least 32 Palestinians waiting to get food at two aid distribution sites in Gaza, leaving more than 200 others injured. Israeli tanks opened fire on thousands of civilians gathered at a distribution site in southern Gaza's Rafah on Sunday morning, killing at least 31 people, according to Gaza's Government Media Office. Soon after, another person was killed in a shooting at a similar distribution point south of the Netzarim Corridor in Gaza City, it said in a statement on Telegram. The aid is being distributed by Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), a controversial group backed by Israel and the United States, which has completed a chaotic first week of operations in the enclave. The United Nations and other aid groups have refused to cooperate with the GHF, accusing it of lacking neutrality and suggesting the group has been formed to enable Israel to achieve its stated military objective of taking over all of Gaza. 'Aid distribution has become a death trap,' the head of the UN agency for Palestinian refugees, Philippe Lazzarini, said in a statement on Sunday. The Israeli military said in a statement that its forces did not fire at civilians near or within the site, citing an initial inquiry. 'In recent hours, false reports have been spread, including serious allegations against the [Israeli military] regarding fire toward Gazan residents in the area of the humanitarian aid distribution site in the Gaza Strip,' the army said. The GHF had earlier told The Associated Press news agency that Israeli soldiers fired 'warning shots' as Palestinians gathered to receive food. However, Ibrahim Abu Saoud, who witnessed the attack on aid seekers in Rafah, told AP that Israeli forces opened fire on people as they moved towards the distribution point. The 40-year-old said the crowd was about 300 metres (328 yards) away from the military. He said he saw many people with gunshot wounds, including a young man who died at the scene. 'We weren't able to help him,' Abu Saoud said. Al Jazeera's Hind Khoudary, reporting from Deir el-Balah in central Gaza, said Palestinians are being killed while trying to secure 'one meal for their children'. 'This is why Palestinians have been going to these distribution points, despite the fact that they know that they are controversial. The distribution points are backed by the US and Israel, but they do not have any other option,' she said. 'Even the food parcels that were distributed to Palestinians are barely enough. We are talking about one kilo of flour, a couple of bags of pasta, a couple of cans of fava beans – and it's not nutritious. It's not enough for a family in Gaza nowadays.' Condemning the attacks, the Government Media Office described the GHF distribution sites as 'mass death traps, not humanitarian relief points'. 'We confirm to the entire world that what is happening is a systematic and malicious use of aid as a tool of war, employed to blackmail starving civilians and forcibly gather them in exposed killing points, managed and monitored by the occupation army and funded and politically covered by … the US administration,' it said in a statement. Speaking from Gaza City, Bassam Zaqout of the Palestinian Medical Relief Society said the current aid distribution mechanism had replaced 400 former distribution points with just four. 'I think there are different hidden agendas in this aid distribution mechanism,' he told Al Jazeera. Palestinian group Hamas, which runs the enclave's government, released a statement, saying the Israeli shootings were a 'blatant confirmation of premeditated intent' as it held Israel and the US fully responsible for the killings. The Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP) said the killings were a 'full-fledged war crime' and demanded international intervention to 'stop this ongoing massacre and impose strict accountability mechanisms'.
Irish Daily Mirror
3 days ago
- Health
- Irish Daily Mirror
At least 31 people in Gaza 'killed in Israeli attack' near aid distribution site
At least 31 people have been killed near an aid distribution centre in the Rafah area of southern Gaza, according to the Hamas-run Palestinian health ministry. Earlier, a nearby hospital run by the Red Cross reported that at least 21 people had been killed. The hospital, which has been receiving bodies and the wounded, also said another 175 people had been injured. Witnesses said the deaths came after Israeli forces opened fire at a roundabout near the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation hub, a new aid organisation backed by Israel and the US. However, Palestinian and Hamas-linked media have attributed the deaths it has reported on to an Israeli airstrike. It is not yet clear if eyewitnesses and Hamas-affiliated media are giving different accounts of the same incident. The Israel Defence Forces (IDF) said it was "currently unaware of injuries caused by IDF fire within the humanitarian aid distribution site", adding: "The matter is still under review." Witnesses said Israeli forces fired on crowds around a kilometer from an aid site run by an Israeli-backed foundation. The foundation said in a statement that it delivered aid "without incident" early Sunday and has denied previous accounts of chaos and gunfire around its sites, which are in Israeli military zones where independent access is limited. The Gaza Humanitarian Foundation's distribution of aid has been marred by chaos, and multiple witnesses have said Israeli troops fired on crowds near the delivery sites. Before Sunday, at least six people had been killed and more than 50 wounded according to local health officials. The foundation says the private security contractors guarding its sites have not fired on the crowds, while the Israeli military has acknowledged firing warning shots on previous occasions. The foundation said in a statement that it distributed 16 truckloads of aid early Sunday "without incident," and dismissed what it referred to as "false reporting about deaths, mass injuries and chaos." The gunfire on Sunday erupted at a roundabout around a kilometer from the distribution site, in an area that is controlled by Israeli forces, witnesses said. Ibrahim Abu Saoud, an eyewitness, said Israeli forces opened fire at people moving toward the aid distribution centre. "There were many martyrs, including women," the 40-year-old resident said. "We were about 300 meters (yards) away from the military." Abu Saoud said he saw many people with gunshot wounds, including a young man who he said had died at the scene. "We weren't able to help him," he said. Mohammed Abu Teaima, 33, said he saw Israeli forces open fire and kill his cousin and another woman as they were heading to the hub. He said his cousin was shot in his chest and died at the scene. Many others were wounded, including his brother-in-law, he said. "They opened heavy fire directly toward us," he said as he was waiting outside the Red Cross field hospital for word on his wounded relative. Meanwhile, the UN's aid system has struggled to bring in aid after Israel slightly eased its total blockade of the territory last month. Those groups say Israeli restrictions, the breakdown of law and order, and widespread looting make it extremely difficult to deliver aid to Gaza's roughly two million Palestinians. Experts have warned that the Palestinian territory is at risk of famine if more aid is not brought in. The war in Gaza began when Hamas-led militants stormed into southern Israel on 7 October 2023, killing some 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and abducting 251. They are still holding 58 hostages, around a third of them believed to be alive, after most of the rest were released in ceasefire agreements or other deals. Israel's military campaign has killed more than 54,000 people, mostly women and children, according to Gaza's Health Ministry, which does not say how many of the dead were civilians or combatants. The offensive has destroyed vast areas of the territory, displaced around 90% of Gaza's population and left people almost completely reliant on international aid.
Daily Mirror
3 days ago
- Health
- Daily Mirror
At least 31 people in Gaza 'killed in Israeli attack' near aid distribution site
The Palestinian health ministry, run by Hamas, claimed 31 people had been killed by Israelis near an aid centre, but there are conflicting reports over the numbers and causes of the deaths At least 31 people have been killed near an aid distribution centre in the Rafah area of southern Gaza, according to the Hamas-run Palestinian health ministry. Earlier, a nearby hospital run by the Red Cross reported that at least 21 people had been killed. The hospital, which has been receiving bodies and the wounded, also said another 175 people had been injured. Witnesses said the deaths came after Israeli forces opened fire at a roundabout near the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation hub, a new aid organisation backed by Israel and the US. However, Palestinian and Hamas-linked media have attributed the deaths it has reported on to an Israeli airstrike. It is not yet clear if eyewitnesses and Hamas-affiliated media are giving different accounts of the same incident. The Israel Defence Forces (IDF) said it was 'currently unaware of injuries caused by IDF fire within the humanitarian aid distribution site', adding: 'The matter is still under review.' Witnesses said Israeli forces fired on crowds around a kilometer from an aid site run by an Israeli-backed foundation. The foundation said in a statement that it delivered aid 'without incident' early Sunday and has denied previous accounts of chaos and gunfire around its sites, which are in Israeli military zones where independent access is limited. The Gaza Humanitarian Foundation's distribution of aid has been marred by chaos, and multiple witnesses have said Israeli troops fired on crowds near the delivery sites. Before Sunday, at least six people had been killed and more than 50 wounded according to local health officials. The foundation says the private security contractors guarding its sites have not fired on the crowds, while the Israeli military has acknowledged firing warning shots on previous occasions. The foundation said in a statement that it distributed 16 truckloads of aid early Sunday 'without incident,' and dismissed what it referred to as 'false reporting about deaths, mass injuries and chaos.' The gunfire on Sunday erupted at a roundabout around a kilometer from the distribution site, in an area that is controlled by Israeli forces, witnesses said. Ibrahim Abu Saoud, an eyewitness, said Israeli forces opened fire at people moving toward the aid distribution centre. 'There were many martyrs, including women,' the 40-year-old resident said. 'We were about 300 meters (yards) away from the military.' Abu Saoud said he saw many people with gunshot wounds, including a young man who he said had died at the scene. 'We weren't able to help him,' he said. Mohammed Abu Teaima, 33, said he saw Israeli forces open fire and kill his cousin and another woman as they were heading to the hub. He said his cousin was shot in his chest and died at the scene. Many others were wounded, including his brother-in-law, he said. 'They opened heavy fire directly toward us,' he said as he was waiting outside the Red Cross field hospital for word on his wounded relative. Meanwhile, the UN's aid system has struggled to bring in aid after Israel slightly eased its total blockade of the territory last month. Those groups say Israeli restrictions, the breakdown of law and order, and widespread looting make it extremely difficult to deliver aid to Gaza's roughly two million Palestinians. Experts have warned that the Palestinian territory is at risk of famine if more aid is not brought in. The war in Gaza began when Hamas-led militants stormed into southern Israel on 7 October 2023, killing some 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and abducting 251. They are still holding 58 hostages, around a third of them believed to be alive, after most of the rest were released in ceasefire agreements or other deals. Israel's military campaign has killed more than 54,000 people, mostly women and children, according to Gaza's Health Ministry, which does not say how many of the dead were civilians or combatants. The offensive has destroyed vast areas of the territory, displaced around 90% of Gaza's population and left people almost completely reliant on international aid.
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Health
- Yahoo
At least 31 Palestinians are killed while heading to a Gaza aid hub, officials and witnesses say
RAFAH, Gaza Strip — At least 31 people were killed and scores were wounded on Sunday as they were on their way to receive food in the Gaza Strip, according to health officials and multiple witnesses. The witnesses said Israeli forces fired on crowds around 1,000 yards away from an aid site run by an Israeli-backed foundation. The army released a brief statement saying it was 'currently unaware of injuries caused by (Israeli military) fire within the Humanitarian Aid distribution site. The matter is still under review.' The foundation said in a statement that it delivered aid 'without incident' early on Sunday and has denied previous accounts of chaos and gunfire around its sites, which are in Israeli military zones where independent access is limited. The Gaza Health Ministry said 31 people were killed and 170 others were wounded, updating an earlier toll. Hours earlier, officials at a nearby field hospital run by the Red Cross said that at least 21 people were killed and another 175 were wounded, without saying who opened fire on them. The officials spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak to reporters. An Associated Press reporter saw dozens of wounded people being treated at the hospital. The Gaza Humanitarian Foundation 's distribution of aid has been marred by chaos, and multiple witnesses have said Israeli troops fired on crowds near the delivery sites. Before Sunday, at least six people had been killed and more than 50 wounded according to local health officials. The foundation says the private security contractors guarding its sites have not fired on the crowds, while the Israeli military has acknowledged firing warning shots on previous occasions. The foundation said in a statement that it distributed 16 truckloads of aid early Sunday 'without incident,' and dismissed what it referred to as 'false reporting about deaths, mass injuries and chaos.' 'Thousands of people headed toward the distribution site hours before dawn. As they headed toward the site, Israeli forces ordered them to disperse and come back later, witnesses said. When the crowds reached the Flag Roundabout, around 1,000 yards away, at around 3 a.m., Israeli forces opened fire, the witnesses said. 'There was fire from all directions, from naval warships, from tanks and drones,' said Amr Abu Teiba, who was in the crowd. He said he saw at least 10 bodies with gunshot wounds and several other wounded people, including women. People used carts to ferry the dead and wounded to the field hospital. 'The scene was horrible,' he said. Ibrahim Abu Saoud, another eyewitness, provided a nearly identical account. He said the military fired from about 300 meters (yards) away. Abu Saoud said he saw many people with gunshot wounds, including a young man who he said had died at the scene. 'We weren't able to help him,' he said. Mohammed Abu Teaima, 33, said he saw Israeli forces open fire and kill his cousin and another woman as they were heading toward the distribution site. He said his cousin was shot in his chest and died at the scene. Many others were wounded, including his brother-in-law, he said. 'They opened heavy fire directly toward us,' he said as he was waiting outside the Red Cross field hospital for word on his wounded relative. The AP reporter arrived at the field hospital at around 6 a.m. and saw dozens of wounded, including women and children. The reporter also saw crowds of people returning from the distribution point. Some were carrying boxes of aid but most appeared to be coming back empty-handed. Israel and the United States say the new system is aimed at preventing Hamas from siphoning off assistance. Israel has not provided any evidence of systematic diversion, and the U.N. denies it has occurred. U.N. agencies and major aid groups have refused to work with the new system, saying it violates humanitarian principles because it allows Israel to control who receives aid and forces people to relocate to distribution sites, risking yet more mass displacement in the territory. The U.N. system has struggled to bring in aid after Israel slightly eased its total blockade of the territory last month. Those groups say Israeli restrictions, the breakdown of law and order, and widespread looting make it extremely difficult to deliver aid to Gaza's roughly 2 million Palestinians. Experts have warned that the territory is at risk of famine if more aid is not brought in. The war began when Hamas-led militants stormed into southern Israel on Oct. 7, 2023, killing some 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and abducting 251. They are still holding 58 hostages, around a third of them believed to be alive, after most of the rest were released in ceasefire agreements or other deals. Israel's military campaign has killed over 54,000 people, mostly women and children, according to Gaza's Health Ministry, which does not say how many of the dead were civilians or combatants. The offensive has destroyed vast areas of the territory, displaced around 90% of its population and left people almost completely reliant on international aid. On Sunday, Israel said its forces killed the commander of a militant cell it says was behind an attack that killed 21 soldiers in the early months of the war. It was among the deadliest single events for the military in 19 months of fighting, excluding Hamas' initial onslaught. The soldiers were killed when a blast from a rocket-propelled grenade fired by militants triggered explosives they were laying to blow up buildings.
Yahoo
3 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Dozens of Palestinians killed, nearly 200 wounded while on their way to collect aid in Gaza
At least 26 Palestinians were killed and at least 175 were wounded as they made their way to receive food in the Gaza Strip, according to health officials and witnesses. Witnesses said Israeli forces fired on crowds around 1,000 yards away from an aid site run by the Israeli-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation. A Palestinian journalist told the BBC that thousands of Palestinians had gathered near the aid site near Gaza's southern city of Rafah when Israeli tanks approached and opened fire on the crowd. The Israeli Defense Forces said it is "currently unaware of injuries caused by IDF fire within the Humanitarian Aid distribution site," adding that "the matter is still under review." The foundation said in a statement that it delivered 16 truckloads of aid "without incident" early on Sunday. It has denied previous accounts of chaos and gunfire around its sites, which are in Israeli military zones where independent access is limited. Israel Hostage Deal In Doubt As Hamas Adds Demands, Us Envoy Calls Terms 'Unacceptable' In its statement, the foundation dismissed what it referred to as "false reporting about deaths, mass injuries and chaos." Read On The Fox News App The organization's distribution of aid has been marred by chaos, with multiple witnesses having said Israeli troops fired on crowds near the delivery sites. Before Sunday, at least six people had been killed and more than 50 wounded, according to local health officials. The foundation says the private security contractors guarding its sites have not fired on the crowds. The Israeli military has said it fired warning shots in previous incidents. As thousands of people headed toward the distribution site hours before dawn, Israeli forces ordered them to disperse and return later, witnesses said. When the crowds reached the Flag Roundabout, around 1,000 yards away, at around 3 a.m., the military opened fire, the witnesses said. "There was fire from all directions, from naval warships, from tanks and drones," Amr Abu Teiba, who was in the crowd, said. He said he observed at least 10 bodies with gunshot wounds and several other wounded people, including women. People used carts to carry the victims to the field hospital. Another witness, Ibrahim Abu Saoud, gave a nearly identical account. Abu Saoud said he saw many people with gunshot wounds, including a young man who he said had died at the scene. Mohammed Abu Teaima said he saw Israeli forces open fire and kill his cousin and another woman as they were on their way to the distribution site. He said his cousin was shot in his chest and died at the scene, while many others were wounded, including his brother-in-law. "They opened heavy fire directly towards us," he said. Huckabee Slams French-backed Palestinian Statehood Push At Un, Says Us-israel Are 'Inseparably' Linked Israel and the U.S., which also backs the foundation, say the new aid system seeks to prevent Hamas from taking away aid. Israel has not provided any evidence of systematic diversion and the U.N. denies it has happened. U.N. agencies and major aid groups have refused to work with the new system, arguing that it violates humanitarian principles since it allows Israel to control who receives aid and forces people to relocate to distribution sites. The U.N. system has struggled to bring in aid after Israel recently slightly eased its total blockade of the territory. The groups say Israel's restrictions, the breakdown of law and order and widespread looting make it extremely difficult to deliver aid to Palestinians in Gaza. The Associated Press contributed to this article source: Dozens of Palestinians killed, nearly 200 wounded while on their way to collect aid in Gaza
