Over 20 Palestinians Killed at Gaza Aid Distribution Site
GAZA - In a tragic incident that took place on Wednesday, at least 20 Palestinians were killed at a food distribution site in Southern Gaza, managed by the US- and Israel-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF). The cause of the deaths is under dispute, with various sources reporting different accounts.
Background and Context
The Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, a US- and Israeli-backed organization, has been running aid distribution sites in Gaza. Amid a severe humanitarian crisis, thousands of Palestinians have been approaching these sites for food and essential supplies. However, the distribution points have become chaotic, and in some cases, lethal.
The Incident
According to GHF, 19 people were trampled to death and one was fatally stabbed during a crowd surge at one of its centers in Khan Younis in southern Gaza. The organization blamed armed agitators for instigating the unrest. *We have credible reason to believe that elements within the crowd – armed and affiliated with Hamas – deliberately fomented the unrest,*
GHF said in a statement.
Contrasting this account, Al-Quds News reported that chaos erupted when American mercenaries working for GHF trapped the crowd and attacked them with pepper spray and live gunfire. Survivors claimed that the mercenaries deliberately closed the gate as aid seekers arrived, causing crushing overcrowding, leading to panic and chaos.
Middle East Eye reported that Israeli forces opened fire on crowds of people waiting for humanitarian aid in the al-Shakoush area, northwest of Rafah, in southern Gaza, killing at least 10 Palestinians.
Responses and Reactions
The event has drawn international attention and sparked various reactions. The Gaza Government Media Office condemned the GHF for its denial of involvement in the incident. Meanwhile, Israel has criticized international organizations and the United Nations for allegedly leaving pallets of aid uncollected while decrying the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
The incident has also added to the increasing death toll in Gaza. Al Jazeera cited medical sources, reporting that at least 43 Palestinians, including 21 aid seekers, were killed across Gaza since dawn on the day of the incident.
Conclusion
As the situation remains tense, it is clear that the humanitarian crisis in Gaza is escalating. The incident at the GHF distribution site is a grim reminder of the desperate conditions that the civilians in Gaza are enduring. With differing narratives surrounding the event, the truth of what transpired remains unclear. Amid the crisis, the international community continues to grapple with delivering essential humanitarian aid to Gaza.