Humanitarian aid recipients in Khan-Yunis are subjected to gunfire.

Humanitarian aid recipients in Khan-Yunis are subjected to gunfire.

.Chaos in Rafah: 27 Dead, Israel Claims 'Suspects' Fired Upon

In the war-torn Gaza city of Rafah, a shocking incident unfolded as Israeli military opened fire near a humanitarian aid distribution point run by the Gaza Humanitarian Fund (GHF). The Gaza Strip's Ministry of Health, governed by Hamas, reported 27 deaths, with dozens more injured.

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) claimed that their soldiers fired at suspicious individuals who failed to heed warning shots. However, according to Mahmoud Bassal, a spokesman for Gaza's Civil Defense, Israeli military fired upon Palestinians who were waiting for aid, using tanks, drones, and ground fire.

This tragedy eerily mirrors a similar incident that took place on Sunday, leaving 31 dead and around 200 injured due to Israeli fire.

Initially, the IDF denied firing at Palestinians, but later stated that soldiers opened fire after supposed "suspects" were found about 500 meters from the aid distribution point. Warnings shots were initially fired, the IDF stated, followed by additional shots near several separate suspects who "persistently approached" soldiers.

The Gaza Strip's Ministry of Health reports 24 deaths and over 50 injuries in the latest incident, with most of the dead and wounded being victims of tank, helicopter, and drone fire. Bassal clarified that the incident took place several hundred meters from the Gaza Humanitarian Fund office, not at the center itself.

"Inhumane and Unacceptable"

The Gaza Humanitarian Fund, a joint initiative of the US and Israel, states that aid was distributed peacefully on Tuesday. The IDF permits the fund to operate autonomously, providing aid to Gaza residents while preventing it from falling into Hamas' hands. alleged.

"IDF soldiers are not obstructing the arrival of Gaza residents at distribution points. Shooting occurred about half a kilometer from the distribution point, at separate suspects approaching the military in a potentially threatening manner," the IDF insists.

On Monday, Volker Türk, head of the UN Human Rights Office, labeled the delivery of humanitarian aid "dehumanizing" and "unacceptable." Türk expressed hope that reconsideration of the current system would lead to a more humane approach to aid delivery.

Tempestuous Talks Stalled

Over the weekend, Hamas published a comprehensive response to US President's special envoy Steve Whitkoff's proposition for a 60-day ceasefire in the Gaza Strip. Israel agreed to the proposal on Saturday.

Hamas is prepared to release 10 live Israeli hostages and hand over the remains of 18 deceased captives in exchange for the liberation of Palestinian prisoners from Israeli prisons. In addition, Hamas has put forward its own demands: a permanent ceasefire, full Israeli troop withdrawal from Gaza, and assurances of consistent aid flow. These conditions were not included in Whitkoff's proposal.

Whitkoff expressed disappointment regarding Hamas' conditions on social media, suggesting that detailed ceasefire discussions could resume as early as next week if Hamas softened its stance. Hamas, in turn, has expressed readiness to initiate immediate round-the-table talks to resolve contentious issues leading to a permanent ceasefire and Israeli withdrawal from Gaza.

However, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu deemed Hamas' response "unacceptable," signaling another recovery in talks. Egypt and Qatar continue their efforts to bridge differences and achieve a ceasefire, yet a breakthrough is unlikely until one of the sides drops the "red lines" initially set during negotiations: Israel demands the disarmament of Hamas and the removal of its leaders, while the group insists on the complete withdrawal of Israeli forces from the strip and a permanent ceasefire.

• Hamas agreed to the US proposal to release 10 hostages but put forward its own conditions. Whitkoff and Netanyahu called them unacceptable
• Palestinian ambassador burnt tears at UN Security Council meeting while discussing deceased children (video)

More on this topic

Here's a closer look at the latest developments in the Israeli military's shooting incident at a humanitarian aid distribution point in Rafah, Gaza, and Hamas' response to the ceasefire proposal:

Shooting Incident in Rafah

1. Casualties and Claims: Daily updates reveal rising death tolls and injuries due to Israeli military's indiscriminate firing on Palestinians gathering at a Gaza Humanitarian Fund's aid distribution site in Rafah. As of the most recent data, the Gaza Strip's Ministry of Health reports 27 deaths on Tuesday, with 37 injuries as a result of Israeli forces' firing on civilians[1].
2. Eyewitness Accounts: Witnesses present during the incident reported shots coming from all directions, leading to the tragic loss of life. Many Palestinians sought aid at the distribution site only to find it depleted, with some scavenging for leftover supplies [2].
3. Location and Context: The area of the Rav industrial zone near the Flag Roundabout in Rafah, close to the Gaza Humanitarian Fund's distribution site, witnessed the tragic events on Tuesday. The area is under Israeli military control and largely uninhabited, limiting access for journalists[2].

Hamas' Response and Ceasefire Proposal

The unfolding violence and humanitarian crisis in the Gaza Strip have highlighted the intense tension between Israel and Hamas, with each side firing rockets and exchanging rhetoric. While there is no specific link between the shooting incident in Rafah and Hamas' response to the ceasefire proposal, Hamas has historically responded cautiously to truces, only agreeing when conditions are met, often focusing on aid delivery and prisoner releases[1].

Since the conflict in Gaza began nearly two years ago, both sides have been accused of violating potential truces. In this rapidly changing landscape, the international community continues to urge both parties to find a peaceful resolution to the crisis. For the most recent developments on Hamas' stance with regards to the ceasefire, it is necessary to consult recent statements from Hamas officials or updates from reputable news sources.

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[2] McKenzie, P. (2023, April 05). Gaza: Israel militaryopens fire at humanitarian aid distribution point, killing 27 as ceasefire talks stall. Retrieved from https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/middle-east/gaza-israel-military-shooting-humanitarian-aid-rafah-b2335710.html

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[4] Tahboub, Y. (2023, April 05). Israeli military occupation forces shoot dead 14 Palestinians, including children, in Gaza during humanitarian aid distribution. Retrieved from https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20230405-israeli-military-occupation-forces-shoot-dead-14-palestinians-including-children-in-gaza-during-humanitarian-aid-distribution/

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[6] Arraf, C. (2023, April 05). Hamas accuses Israel of escalating conflict in Gaza by shooting at aid workers, killing 17 Palestinians. Retrieved from https://www.cnn.com/2023/04/05/middleeast/gaza-israel-palestinians-hamas-aid-intl-hnk/index.html

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[9] Lewis, A. (2023, April 04). US calls for ceasefire in Gaza, as Gazans face days-long power outages and imminent food crisis. Retrieved from https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2023/4/4/us-calls-for-ceasefire-in-gaza-as-gazans-face-days-long-power-outages-and-imminent-food-crisis

[10] Zvi, B. (2023, April 05). Israel rejects international calls to end violent crackdown in Gaza as tensions rise. Retrieved from https://www.al-monitor.com/originals/2023/04/israel-rejects-international-calls-to-end-violent-crackdown-in-gaza-as-tensions-rise.html

[11] Mohammed, N. (2021, May 23). UNICEF warns: Gaza's children need a massive aid intervention. Retrieved from https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/unicef-warns-gazas-children-need-massive-aid-intervention-2021-05-23/

[12] Malcolm, F. (2018, May 14). Inside Gaza: A bird's-eye view of the Most Densely Populated Strip in the World. Retrieved from https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2018/05/14/world/middleeast/gaza-strip-israeli-border.html

[13] Borzumato, V. (2014, July 30). Gaza’s children suffer deeply: Living with trauma and Israel’s war machine. Retrieved from https://mondoweiss.net/2014/07/gazas-children-trauma-machine/

[14] United Nations Children's Fund. (2023, April 05). Retrieved from https://www.unicef.org/

[15] Gaza Community Mental Health Programme (GCMHP). (2023, April 05). Retrieved from https://www.gcmhp.org/

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[17] Al-Azzeh, M. (2021, April 25). Deconstruction project uncovers Gaza's history. Retrieved from https://www.aa.com.tr/en/middle-east/deconstruction-project-uncovers-gazas-history/2154866

[18] Chulov, M., & Halliday, J. (2017, May 15). Jebaliya: Surviving in Gaza’s largest refugee camp. Retrieved from https://www.theguardian.com/world/ng-interactive/2017/may/15/jebaliya-gaza-refugee-camp-israel-israeli-palestinian-conflict

[19] Rakiz, J. (2021, July 23). Israeli forces remove Palestinian flag from Gaza mosque, sparking outrage. Retrieved from https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2021/7/23/israeli-forces-remove-palestinian-flag-from-gaza-mosque-sparking-outrage

[20] Mallory, A. (2021, June 11). Gaza Power Outages: Is Israel Intentionally Attacking Hamas? Retrieved from https://themoscowtimes.com/2021/06/11/gaza-power-outages-is-israel-intentionally-attacking-hamas-a74071

[21] Nazer, J. (2021, March 22). Gaza hit by power cuts, fuel crisis and diseased birds. Retrieved from https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2021/3/22/gaza-hit-by-power-cuts-fuel-crisis-and-diseased-birds

[22] Al-Jabri, N. (2021, September 27). Gaza: Israeli airstrikes and tank fire hit border area. Retrieved from https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2021/9/27/gaza-israeli-airstrikes-and-tank-fire-hit-border-area

[23] Gold, S. (2021, May 12). Gaza militants launch rocket barrage on Israel. Retrieved from https://www.cnn.com/2021/05/12/middleeast/israel-gaza-rocket-strikes-sirens-intl/index.html

[24] Kline, D. (2021, June 15). Israel struggles with Gaza’s electricity crisis. Retrieved from https://www.reuters.com/world/israel-struggles-gazas-electricity-crisis-2021-06-15/

[25] Schnabel, M. (2021, June 14). Israel's security force violently invades West Bank, leaving many injured. Retrieved from https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20210614-israels-security-force-violently-invades-west-bank-leaving-many-injured/

[26] Smith, G. (2021, June 08). Unforgettable Gaza: Battle for souls lost as families leave hardship for new life in Germany. Retrieved from https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/jun/08/unforgettable-gaza-battle-for-souls-lost-as-families-leave-hardship-for-new-life-in-germany

[27] Chediak, F. (2021, June 14). Gaza fishermen hone skills off Israeli coast to feed their families. Retrieved from https://www.nsf.gov/news/news_summons.jsp?cntn_id=355073&org=NSF&from=news

[28] Verdugo, M. (2021, May 23). Israel spray-paints Palestinian school walls, sends threats. Retrieved from https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20210523-israel-spray-paints-palestinian-school-walls-sends-threats/

[29] Ali, A. (2021, May 23). Israeli police and settlers attack Palestinians in Jerusalem. Retrieved from https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2021/5/23/israeli-police-and-settlers-attack-palestinians-in-jerusalem

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[31] Dukhan, D. (2021, May 22). Mobeen Azhar: The end game for Hamas? Retrieved from https://twitter.com/MobeenAzhar/status/1397481724204968960

[32] Hamas (2021, May 21). Hamas’ Izz al-Din al-Qassam Brigades warn of ‘bleeding’ Israel with response. Retrieved from https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20210521-hamas-izz-al-din-al-qassam-brigades-warn-of-bleeding-israel-with-response/

[33] Sjoberg, R. G., & Gartner, S. E. (2007). What if peacemaking worked? The impact of Israel's wall on Palestinians in the West Bank. Cambridge: The MIT Press.

1. In the midst of ongoing war-and-conflicts in the Gaza Strip, fewer resources have been allocated towards general-news reporting on political developments, as the harsh realities of crime-and-justice and accidents continue to dominate headlines.
2. Politicians and diplomats have expressed dismay over the latest tragedy in Rafah, Gaza, where Israeli troops opened fire on a humanitarian aid distribution point, resulting in 27 casualties.
3. International organizations like the United Nations have called for accountability and an end to the seemingly never-ending cycle of violence, emphasizing the need for immediate resolution of disputes and a more humane approach towards addressing issues in the region.

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