Tragic Killings in Gaza: Twelve Palestinians Die While Awaiting Aid

A deadly incident in Gaza has left 12 Palestinians dead as they waited for humanitarian aid. Israeli forces reported firing warning shots at suspected threats, while aid groups and witnesses contest this narrative, escalating tensions and highlighting the dire humanitarian situation.

At least 12 Palestinians have lost their lives while waiting for humanitarian aid in the central region of Gaza, according to reports from local medics and rescuers. This tragic event unfolded near an aid distribution site operated by the US- and Israeli-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF) on Thursday.

Witness accounts indicate that these individuals were struck by gunfire as they gathered for help, an incident the GHF has firmly denied, asserting there were no such occurrences near its site. In contrast, the Israeli military provided a different perspective, stating that soldiers fired warning shots at what they deemed “suspects” who approached their positions in the vicinity of Netzarim, claiming ignorance of any ensuing injuries.

This incident marks the latest in a disheartening trend of increased violence around aid distribution points in Gaza. Since the GHF assumed control over aid distribution in May, following a shift in strategy by Israel to bypass the UN, a concerning number of casualties have arisen, with most linked to events surrounding aid delivery rather than direct Israeli strikes on Hamas.

Seeking further clarity, Gaza's health ministry reported that since the early hours of Thursday, 12 individuals had perished in their quest for assistance, without providing additional context. Meanwhile, Gaza's official civil defense body reported even higher numbers, claiming that 15 people had been killed and about 60 injured in the gunfire.

Due to restrictive policies that limit international media access to Gaza, independent verification of these casualty figures remains challenging. Eyewitness Bassam Abu Shaar described the scene, stating that thousands had gathered at the GHF-supported site, where Israeli forces commenced firing early in the morning, making it impossible for many to escape.

In response, the GHF dismissed the claims of violence, branding them as misinformation propagated by the Gaza health ministry. The Israeli military reiterated that their actions were a response to perceived threats.

After the incident, Hamas issued a statement advocating for the UN and its agencies to reclaim sole authority over aid distribution in Gaza, emphasizing the necessity for impartial and independent humanitarian assistance. The new system instituted by GHF has drawn criticism for contradicting essential humanitarian principles, according to UN agencies.

Conditions in Gaza remain dire, exacerbated by an extended Israeli blockade that has left the population facing severe food insecurity. The US and Israel argue that the GHF’s method aims to avert aid from being appropriated by Hamas, an accusation the group refutes.

Separately, civil defense teams were engaged in recovering casualties from other areas in Gaza amid continued shelling, witnessing a number of fatalities including an entire family trapped under rubble following an attack in Jabalia refugee camp.

The ongoing conflict began with a large-scale operation by Israeli forces in response to a Hamas raid on southern Israel on October 7, resulting in approximately 1,200 fatalities and numerous hostages taken. Since the onset of heightened hostilities, Gaza's health ministry has reported over 55,600 casualties as the humanitarian crisis deepens.