Latest news with #MahmoudBasal
Saudi Gazette
3 days ago
- General
- Saudi Gazette
Israel says roads to Gaza aid centers are 'combat zones' as sites close for day
GAZA — Aid distribution centers in Gaza will be closed for a day on Wednesday, as the Israeli military warned roads leading to the sites will be considered "combat zones". The Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), a controversial US and Israel-backed aid network which began operating last week, said it was closing its sites for "update, organization and efficiency improvements works". In a separate update, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said people would be "prohibited" from entering the distribution centers or traveling on roads leading to them. Overnight on Tuesday, at least 27 Palestinians were killed by Israeli fire close to a distribution center, according to the Hamas-run Civil Defense Agency. It was the third deadly incident in as many days to occur on a route to a GHF site. The IDF said its troops fired shots after identifying suspects who moved towards them "deviating from the designated access routes".In the wake of Tuesday's incident, the director of Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis, Atef Al-Hout, said the injured were arriving with gunshot wounds after Israeli forces had opened fire on "crowds of civilians waiting for aid in western Rafa".Hamas-run Civil Defence Agency spokesman Mahmoud Basal said civilians were fired upon by tanks, quadcopter drones and helicopters near an aid site.A foreign medic working in the area described the scene as "total carnage" and said they had been inundated with a statement, the IDF said its troops were "not preventing the arrival of Gazan civilians to the humanitarian aid distribution sites."GHF said it would start distributing aid again on Thursday.A spokesperson for the aid group said it had asked Israeli military to "guide foot traffic" near military boundaries to reduce "confusion or escalation" risks, according to Reuters news added it was also working to develop clearer guidance for civilians and enhance training to support their safety."Our top priority remains ensuring the safety and dignity of civilians receiving aid."UN Secretary-General António Guterres called for an "immediate and independent" investigation into the Dujarric, a spokesman for Guterres, told the BBC the closure of aid centers showed "a lack of clarity of who the GHF is" and a "lack of accountability"."We're seeing armed men around these distribution points. No one knows who they are, who they're accountable for," he comes as the UN warns that more than two million people are at risk of starvation in Gaza, after a total Israeli ban on shipments of food and other aid that lasted 11 GHF aims to replace the UN-led aid distribution network in Gaza, following repeated claims from Israel that the UN did not prevent supplies being hijacked by Hamas, which the UN the new distribution system, Gazans are required to collect supplies from a small number of centres in areas under Israeli military control and staffed by armed American say the model has left people needing to walk long distances to the sites and transport boxes weighing 20kg back to their homes or described the GHF as "a demonstration of how not to do humanitarian aid" as it "puts people's lives at risk" by forcing them to make long trips to get food in a militarised called the strategy "unacceptable" and echoed the head of the UN agency for Palestinian refugees (Unrwa), Philippe Lazzarini, who said aid distribution had "become a death trap".The UN and other humanitarian organizations have accused the GHF of failing to uphold humanitarian on Tuesday, Reverend Dr Johnnie Moore - a Christian evangelical pastor and prominent supporter of US President Donald Trump - was announced as the new head of was appointed to replace its first chief Jake Wood, a former US marine who stood down and criticised the GHF launched a military campaign in Gaza in response to Hamas' cross-border attack on 7 October 2023, in which about 1,200 people were killed and 251 others were taken least 54,470 people have been killed in Gaza since then, including 4,201 since Israel resumed its offensive on 18 March, according to the territory's health ministry. — BBC
Saba Yemen
3 days ago
- General
- Saba Yemen
27 Palestinians Martyred in 'Aid Massacre' in Southern Gaza Strip
Gaza – SABA: The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) confirmed that 27 Palestinians were martyred early Tuesday due to gunfire near an aid distribution center west of Rafah city in southern Gaza Strip, in an incident that sparked widespread international condemnation and calls for an independent investigation. Earlier in the day, Palestinian sources reported that 27 people were killed and more than 90 others injured as a result of Israeli occupation forces shelling and opening fire on thousands heading to the aid center west of Rafah. In a statement, the ICRC said its field hospital in Rafah received 184 wounded individuals, 19 of whom were declared dead upon arrival, while 8 others later succumbed to their injuries. The committee noted that 'most of the injuries were gunshot wounds.' It described the incident as 'the deadliest in terms of casualties since the hospital was established over a year ago,' stressing that the number of victims far exceeded the hospital's 60-bed capacity. Meanwhile, Mahmoud Basal, spokesperson for Gaza's Civil Defense, said the massacre targeted citizens waiting for American aid near the Al-Alam roundabout in the Al-Mawasi area west of Rafah, adding that more than 90 people were injured in the attack. On the international front, UN Secretary-General António Guterres strongly condemned the incident, calling it 'unacceptable.' His spokesperson, Stéphane Dujarric, said: 'Civilians should not lose their lives simply because they are trying to get food,' reiterating the Secretary-General's call for an immediate and independent investigation and for those responsible to be held accountable. This deadly incident comes amid catastrophic humanitarian conditions in Gaza, where the population faces severe shortages of food, water, and medicine after nearly twenty months of an ongoing genocide, and where humanitarian aid delivery remains an immense challenge. Whatsapp Telegram Email Print more of (International)
Yahoo
3 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
At least 27 Palestinians killed by Israeli fire near aid centre, Gaza authorities say
At least 27 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli fire as they attempted to collect aid near a distribution site in Gaza, local officials say. Civilians were fired upon by tanks, quadcopter drones, and helicopters near the al-Alam roundabout, about 1km (0.6 miles) from the aid site, a spokesman for Gaza's Hamas-run Civil Defence agency, Mahmoud Basal, said. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said its troops fired shots after identifying suspects who moved towards them "deviating from the designated access routes". Israel previously denied shooting Palestinians in a similar incident on Sunday which the Hamas-run health ministry said killed 31 people and injured nearly 200. Its denial was in direct contradiction to what dozens of civilian witnesses, NGOs, and health officials said. Following Tuesday morning's incident, the director of Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis, Atef Al-Hout, described 24 dead and 37 wounded arriving with gunshot injuries, saying Israeli forces had opened fire on "crowds of civilians waiting for aid in western Rafah." A foreign medic working in the area told the BBC it had been "total carnage" since 03:48 (01:48 BST) and that they had been overwhelmed with casualties. How controversial US-Israeli backed Gaza aid plan turned to chaos UN calls for investigation into killings near Gaza aid distribution site In a video shared on social media by a local journalist, witness Nadeem Zarab said he and his uncle began walking to the aid centre at 02:00 (00:00 BST). When they reached the roundabout "the shooting started, from the helicopter, the tanks, and the sniper soldiers", he added. "Gunfire was coming from all directions. We started using the wall as cover, shielding ourselves close to it." "People, as they were running, began collapsing in front of us. My uncle couldn't bear it, he saw someone get shot right in front of him, so he tried to run and catch him. But I told him, 'Come back, come back! Where are you going?'" Another eyewitness, who did not want to be named, told BBC Arabic: "I am displaced from Khan Younis and responsible for a family of five. "The Israeli Army informed us that we would be receiving aid through the US committee. "When we arrived, the checkpoint opened at six o'clock. Suddenly, gunfire erupted from all directions. They added: "Hundreds were wounded or killed, the scene was horrific. After we moved just two hundred metres, machine guns began firing at us." A third eyewitness, who also did not want to be named, said they had seen "intense shelling from aircraft and tanks" after arriving at the aid centre at around 05:00 (03:00 BST). It is unclear from witness statements whether people were killed in one incident or several incidents throughout the night. In a statement, the IDF said its troops were "not preventing the arrival of Gazan civilians to the humanitarian aid distribution sites." "The warning shots were fired approximately half a kilometre away from the humanitarian aid distribution site toward several suspects who advanced toward the troops in such a way that posed a threat to them," it added. Israel does not allow international news organisations, including the BBC, into Gaza, making verifying what is happening in the territory difficult. Aid distribution has recently been taken over by the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), an Israel- and US-backed group which aims to replace UN agencies and other organisations. The GHF system requires civilians to go to distribution centres situated in areas of Israeli military control, and staffed by armed American security contractors. Palestinians are forced to walk long distances to collect the aid - and then carry boxes of it weighing up to 20kg (44lbs). The previous UN system delivered aid directly into communities - at 400 sites across Gaza. It also distributed the aid based on a registry of the population, guaranteeing everyone food. The new system appears to operate on a first come, first serve basis, meaning Palestinians are gathering through the night to secure a place at the front of the line - before a race to collect supplies when the aid site opens hours later. The GHF has been heavily criticised by UN bodies and the wider international community for "weaponising" aid and creating a system that goes against humanitarian principles. Responding to Tuesday's incident, the group said: "While the aid distribution was conducted safely and without incident at our site today, we understand that IDF is investigating whether a number of civilians were injured after moving beyond the designated safe corridor and into a closed military zone. This was an area well beyond our secure distribution site and operations area." UN human rights chief Volker Türk said: "For a third day running, people were killed around an aid distribution site". "Palestinians have been presented the grimmest of choices: die from starvation or risk being killed while trying to access the meagre food that is being made available through Israel's militarized humanitarian assistance mechanism," he said in a statement. During Sunday's incident, the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) said its hospital in Rafah received "a mass casualty influx" with 21 "declared dead upon arrival". The IDF said its findings from an initial inquiry showed that its forces had not fired at people while they were near or within the aid centre. The GHF also denied the claims of injuries and casualties at its site and said they had been spread by Hamas. Responding to Sunday's incident, UN Secretary General António Guterres said in a statement: "I am appalled by the reports of Palestinians killed and injured while seeking aid in Gaza yesterday "I call for an immediate and independent investigation into these events and for perpetrators to be held accountable." Israel launched a military campaign in Gaza in response to Hamas' cross-border attack on 7 October 2023, in which about 1,200 people were killed and 251 others were taken hostage. At least 54,470 people have been killed in Gaza since then, including 4,201 since Israel resumed its offensive on 18 March, according to the territory's health ministry. Gaza doctor whose nine children were killed in Israeli strike dies from injuries Gaza aid trucks rushed by desperate and hungry crowds, WFP says Hamas makes hostage pledge but demands changes to US Gaza ceasefire plan
Daily Mirror
3 days ago
- General
- Daily Mirror
Fury in Gaza as at least 27 Palestinians shot dead near food distribution point
There is 'total carnage' inside Gaza as authorities report at least 27 people have been killed and dozens injured after Israelis opened fire on Palestinians near a food distribution point At least 27 Palestinians have been killed and dozens wounded by Israeli army gunfire near a food distribution point. It is the third consecutive day of similar incidents as Israel attempts to bring a in new type of aid distribution regime In Gaza. One foreign medic described the scene as 'total carnage'. The Israeli military said its forces had opened fire on a group of individuals who had left designated aid point is being run by the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF) a newly created body backed by the US and Israel. The United Nations has issued warnings about the way aid is now being delivered. UN human rights chief Volker Türk it was 'dehumanising' and 'unacceptable.' He said: 'It's heartbreaking. I cannot believe that humanitarian aid is delivered in such circumstances. IIt's unacceptable, it's dehumanising and I really hope there is a rethinking of the whole absolute need to get humanitarian aid in quickly and not through the current system. 'I think what it shows is utter disregard for civilians. Can you imagine people that have been absolutely desperate for food, for medicine, for almost three months, and then they have to run for it or try to get it in the most desperate circumstances.' Mahmoud Basal, a spokesman for Gaza's Hamas-run Civil Defence agency, said that civilians were fired upon by tanks, quadcopter drones, and helicopters near the al-Alam roundabout, about half a mile from the aid distribution centre. In a statement, the IDF said its troops were 'not preventing the arrival of Gazan civilians to the humanitarian aid distribution sites. 'The warning shots were fired approximately half a kilometre away from the humanitarian aid distribution site toward several suspects who advanced toward the troops in such a way that posed a threat to them.' This morning's incident is very close to the location where the Hamas-run health ministry said Israeli forces killed 31 people on Sunday. A spokesman for Hamas described the aid distribution operation as the 'Israeli-American mechanism' and said the process has become 'a trap of death and humiliation. He said: 'Its goal is not relief, but rather to break the dignity of our people and turn the lives of those under siege into hell, serving the purposes of forced displacement.' Israel set up the GHF as a way to bypass the UN as the main supplier of aid in Gaza, claiming an alternative was needed to stop Hamas stealing the aid. The GHF said distribution 'was conducted safely and without incident' at its site today. A spokesman said: 'We understand that IDF is investigating whether a number of civilians were injured after moving beyond the designated safe corridor and into a closed military zone.. This was an area well beyond our secure distribution site and operations area. We recognise the difficult nature of the situation and advise all civilians to remain in the safe corridor when traveling to our distribution sites.'
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Health
- Yahoo
At least 27 Palestinians killed by Israeli fire near aid centre, Gaza authorities say
At least 27 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli fire as they attempted to collect aid near a distribution site in Gaza, local officials say. Civilians were fired upon by tanks, quadcopter drones, and helicopters near the al-Alam roundabout, about 1km (0.6 miles) from the aid distribution centre, a spokesman for Gaza's Hamas-run Civil Defence agency, Mahmoud Basal, said. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said its troops fired shots after identifying suspects who moved towards them "deviating from the designated access routes". Israel previously denied shooting Palestinians in a similar incident on Sunday which the Hamas-run health ministry said killed 31 people and injured nearly 200. Its denial was in direct contradiction to what dozens of civilian witnesses, NGOs, and health officials said. The director of Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis, Atef Al-Hout, described 24 dead and 37 wounded arriving with gunshot injuries on Tuesday morning, saying Israeli forces had opened fire on "crowds of civilians waiting for aid in western Rafah." A foreign medic working in the area told the BBC it had been "total carnage" since 03:48 (01:48 BST) and that they had been overwhelmed with casualties. In a statement, the IDF said its troops were "not preventing the arrival of Gazan civilians to the humanitarian aid distribution sites." "The warning shots were fired approximately half a kilometer away from the humanitarian aid distribution site toward several suspects who advanced toward the troops in such a way that posed a threat to them," it added. Israel does not allow international news organisations, including the BBC, into Gaza, making verifying what is happening in the territory difficult. Aid distribution has recently been taken over by the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), an Israel- and US-backed group which aims to replace UN agencies and other organisations. The GHF system requires civilians to go to distribution centres situated in areas of Israeli military control, and staffed by armed American security contractors. Palestinians are forced to walk long distances to collect the aid - and then carry boxes of it weighing up to 20kg (44lbs). The previous UN system delivered aid directly into communities - at 400 sites across Gaza. It also distributed the aid based on a registry of the population, guaranteeing everyone food. The new system appears to operate on a first come, first serve basis, meaning Palestinians are gathering through the night to secure a place at the front of the line - before a race to collect supplies when the aid site opens hours later. The GHF has been heavily criticised by UN bodies and the wider international community for "weaponising" aid and going against humanitarian principles. Responding to Tuesday's incident, the group said: "While the aid distribution was conducted safely and without incident at our site today, we understand that IDF is investigating whether a number of civilians were injured after moving beyond the designated safe corridor and into a closed military zone. This was an area well beyond our secure distribution site and operations area." UN human rights chief Volker Türk said: "For a third day running, people were killed around an aid distribution site". "Palestinians have been presented the grimmest of choices: die from starvation or risk being killed while trying to access the meagre food that is being made available through Israel's militarized humanitarian assistance mechanism," he said in a statement. During Sunday's incident, the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) said its hospital in Rafah received "a mass casualty influx" with 21 "declared dead upon arrival". The IDF said its findings from an initial inquiry showed its forces had not fired at people while they were near or within the aid centre. The GHF also denied the claims of injuries and casualties at its site and said they had been spread by Hamas. Responding to Sunday's incident, UN Secretary General António Guterres said in a statement: "I am appalled by the reports of Palestinians killed and injured while seeking aid in Gaza yesterday "I call for an immediate and independent investigation into these events and for perpetrators to be held accountable." Israel launched a military campaign in Gaza in response to Hamas' cross-border attack on 7 October 2023, in which about 1,200 people were killed and 251 others were taken hostage. At least 54,470 people have been killed in Gaza since then, including 4,201 since Israel resumed its offensive, according to the territory's health ministry. Gaza doctor whose nine children were killed in Israeli strike dies from injuries Gaza aid trucks rushed by desperate and hungry crowds, WFP says Hamas makes hostage pledge but demands changes to US Gaza ceasefire plan
