Five dead in latest Israeli shootings of Gazans seeking aid, say local officials

According to officials in the area, "Five Dead in the Latest Israeli Shootings of Gazans Seeking Aid" According to Gaza health authorities, Israeli forces opened fire near an aid distribution point in Rafah, killing five Palestinians and wounding several others. The incident happened early on Sunday as people gathered to get desperately needed humanitarian aid in southern Gaza, where hunger and chaos were getting worse. Local officials said that when Israeli troops fired live rounds, the victims were unarmed civilians trying to get food supplies. The shootings are the most recent in a string of violent incidents that have occurred at aid collection sites, where thousands of displaced Gazans have been congregating on a daily basis in increasingly difficult circumstances. Gunfire broke out without warning, according to witnesses, causing panic and bloodshed. One local claimed, "People were just standing in line." The shooting then began. People fled in every direction. According to the Israeli military, individuals approached in a "suspicious manner" during restricted hours, and that soldiers fired warning shots. In a declared combat zone, troops had acted in accordance with protocol, according to a spokesperson. However, the Gaza Ministry of Health denied the Israeli account, stating that the victims were clearly civilians and did not pose a threat. A ministry statement stated, "These repeated attacks on people seeking aid are unacceptable and must stop." The deaths occur amid growing global concern regarding the accessibility and safety of humanitarian aid in Gaza. The Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF) recently implemented hubs to manage the distribution system, which has been widely criticized for putting civilians in danger. Over 60 people have reportedly been killed and hundreds have been injured in the vicinity of aid centers since the GHF system was introduced at the end of May. In two weeks, the International Committee of the Red Cross received nearly 1,000 patients, many of whom had been shot near distribution areas. The aid delivery model isn't protecting the people it's supposed to help, according to warnings from the UN and humanitarian groups. The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Türk, stated that the targeting of civilians may constitute war crimes and called for a thorough investigation. Food collection has become a life-threatening ordeal, according to aid workers in Gaza due to overcrowding, disorganized distribution, and the presence of armed forces. A field coordinator for an international relief organization stated, "The situation is desperate." "For a bag of flour, people are putting their lives in danger." To lessen the likelihood of violence, officials with the GHF stated that they were looking into new approaches, such as direct distribution in neighborhoods, as well as reviewing security protocols. Despite this, difficulties with logistics and safety have necessitated numerous operations suspensions. In Gaza, the humanitarian situation is still dire. Many families are completely dependent on sporadic aid deliveries to survive with over 80% of the population displaced and critical infrastructure destroyed. Food insecurity is widespread, and hospitals are swamped. The shooting on Sunday occurred as Muslims were getting ready for the significant religious holiday known as Eid al-Adha. The celebrations were subdued by grief and hardship for many. “We have nothing,” said one mother of four. "We don't have any food, no place to sleep, and now they shoot us when we try to get help." There is a growing demand for accountability and aid system reform. Rights groups say that more civilians will die trying to survive unless drastic changes are made. A number of humanitarian organizations called on Israel and its partners to make sure that aid is distributed safely, openly, and in accordance with international law in a statement that they issued together. The statement read, "Every civilian death is a failure of humanity and a breach of responsibility." As the conflict grinds on and political efforts stall, the burden falls increasingly on local responders and ordinary people to manage the crisis. There is little hope left for those in Rafah and other besieged areas. One of the survivors of the shooting on Sunday stated, "We wake up every day not knowing if we’ll eat, or if we’ll live." This is not charity. It's a ruse."