The United Nations Secretary-General has urged for a thorough investigation into the lethal incident near a humanitarian aid center in Gaza on Sunday, as conflicting accounts emerge regarding the circumstances surrounding the fatalities.
UN Demands Investigation Into Fatal Shootings at Gaza Aid Distribution Site
UN Demands Investigation Into Fatal Shootings at Gaza Aid Distribution Site
An urgent call for an independent inquiry follows reports of violence against Palestinians seeking aid in Rafah, with conflicting narratives from Israeli and Palestinian sources.
The United Nations Secretary-General has called for an independent investigation into the killings of Palestinians near a humanitarian aid distribution site in Gaza on Sunday, amidst conflicting reports about the involvement of Israeli forces. Witnesses claim they were shot while waiting for food at the aid center in Rafah, operated by the US-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), raising concerns about the treatment of civilians in conflict zones.
The Red Cross reported that its hospital in Rafah received 179 victims, including 21 fatalities, while a local Civil Defence agency reported a higher death toll of 31. In response, the Israeli military categorically denied any accusations that its troops had fired at civilians. The GHF also dismissed reports of the attack as "outright fabrications," stating no injuries or incidents occurred at their facility, thus sparking a war of narratives amid a volatile situation.
UN Secretary-General António Guterres expressed shock over the violence described in reports and demanded an immediate and impartial investigation, stating, “I am appalled by the reports of Palestinians killed and injured while seeking aid in Gaza.” The Israeli foreign ministry labeled Guterres' comments as a "disgrace" for allegedly failing to mention Hamas' role in the ongoing conflict.
The Civil Defence agency went on to state that the casualties occurred due to Israeli gunfire aimed at a large group of civilians near the American aid organization. In a contrasting narrative, the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) published a statement claiming they had acted to deter suspected militants near the site. They insisted their forces had not opened fire on the aid-seeking civilians, but rather, warning shots were used to keep them away from the area.
Videos purportedly showing gunfire at civilians were shared across social media, yet verification of these events remains challenging due to restricted media access in Gaza. On Sunday evening, an Israeli military spokesperson reiterated claims that their troops did not engage directly with civilians during the aid distribution incident, dismissing allegations as Hamas propagating misinformation.
In the aftermath of this incident, reports continued to emerge of further fatalities in Rafah attributed to Israeli military actions, with the Red Cross field hospital treating new casualties. Health officials reported additional deaths, emphasizing the ongoing, perilous conditions faced by Palestinians amidst a humanitarian crisis exacerbated by escalations in military engagement. The international community watches closely as the death toll from the conflict rises above 54,000 since the onset of hostilities on 7 October, calling into question the effectiveness of aid efforts amidst violence.
