The Israeli military confirmed its troops had engaged a group of individuals who allegedly strayed from designated humanitarian access routes close to the aid facility
By Afolabi Ayodele
At least 27 Palestinians lost their lives and dozens more sustained injuries on Tuesday after Israeli forces reportedly opened fire near a food distribution point in Rafah, southern Gaza, according to local health officials.
The fatal incident is the latest in a series of violent episodes affecting humanitarian efforts in the war-ravaged enclave.
The Israeli military confirmed its troops had engaged a group of individuals who allegedly strayed from designated humanitarian access routes close to the aid facility.
The military claimed that soldiers initially fired warning shots but were forced to act when the individuals continued approaching.
Earlier the same day, Israel had announced that three of its soldiers were killed in ongoing combat operations in northern Gaza, part of its prolonged military campaign against Hamas fighters. The offensive, now months long, has devastated large swathes of the Gaza Strip.
Reuters noted that it could not independently verify the accounts from either the northern or southern parts of the enclave.
The deadly Rafah incident occurred shortly after the U.S.-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation began operating its first aid distribution centers, aiming to combat the severe food shortages among displaced Palestinians. The Foundation, operating independently of traditional humanitarian organizations, has drawn sharp criticism from the United Nations and other major aid groups, who argue that its methods disregard established humanitarian protocols.
Despite assurances from the Foundation that Tuesday’s delivery of 21 truckloads of aid was completed “safely and without incident,” repeated incidents of violence continue to mar aid distribution efforts. Over the weekend, at least 31 people were reported killed on Sunday, and another three on Monday, as they tried to access vital supplies.
The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) have denied responsibility for civilian casualties during aid distributions and labeled some of the claims as “fabrications” orchestrated by Hamas. On Tuesday, the IDF said it had spotted “a number of suspects” approaching troops in violation of the approved humanitarian corridors. It said soldiers initially fired warning shots but escalated after the individuals continued to approach.
The United Nations has expressed grave concern over the mounting civilian death toll. U.N. Secretary-General António Guterres said he was “appalled” by the reports and has called for an independent investigation into the killings of aid seekers.
Meanwhile, the Israeli military issued fresh evacuation orders late Monday to residents in parts of Khan Younis, warning of intensified operations in the area.
As the humanitarian crisis deepens and international scrutiny mounts, the future of aid delivery in Gaza remains precarious amid continued conflict and contested narratives.
Join us on our Whatssap Platform @KOIKIMEDIA NEWS YOUR PAGE
For continuous updates on global and regional developments, stay connected with KoikiMedia — Bringing the World 🌎 Closer to Your Doorstep.