Global Pressure Mounts on Israel After Chaotic Aid Distribution in Gaza
International leader advocates for investigation into fatalities close to Gaza humanitarian facility
In the wake of a highly controversial two-month blockade on aid in Gaza, Israel now faces mounting international criticism. UN chief Antonio Guterres has called for an independent investigation into a deadly incident last week near an American-backed aid center in the territory.
On Monday, Guterres expressed his concern over the killing and injury of numerous Palestinians near the aid distribution site in southern Gaza city of Rafah. According to Gaza's civil defense agency, Israeli gunfire on Sunday left at least 31 people dead and 176 injured, with medics reporting a surge of gunshot wound victims in nearby hospitals.
However, the Israeli military denies responsibility, asserting they didn't fire at civilians "while they were near or within" the site. Yet, a military source acknowledged issuing a series of warning shots towards several suspects around a kilometer away from the aid center overnight.
The UN chief's statement, void of blame attribution, read, "I am appalled by the reports of Palestinians killed and injured while seeking aid in Gaza yesterday. It is unacceptable that Palestinians are risking their lives for food." Guterres demanded an immediate and independent investigation into the events, stressing the need to hold responsible parties accountable.
Israel has collaborated with Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF) to establish a new aid distribution system in Gaza. This system bypasses the UN-led one, a development the United Nations has declined to support due to concerns about neutrality.
Chaos, Fear, and Casualties
Speaking to AFP, a 33-year-old eyewitness recounted the harrowing scene at the Al-Alam roundabout, around 5:30 am when gunfire erupted among a crowd waiting to head toward the GHF center. The individual, choosing to remain anonymous due to concerns over Israeli reprisals, swore it was the Israeli army firing live bullets at the crowd.
Another witness, 35-year-old Mohammed Abu Deqqa, described the initial gunfire as potentially warning shots. However, he soon realized the situation was rapidly escalating, with people being hit and others running for their lives.
AFP photographs taken shortly after sunrise on Sunday showed civilians transporting the dead on donkey carts.
Investigation and Responsibility
While the Israeli military has conducted an initial inquiry, suspecting soldiers fired only warning shots toward a group of suspects about a kilometer away, the events remain highly controversial. The Israeli military has stated that soldiers did not open fire on civilians at the aid distribution site.
However, the Gaza Health Ministry presents a sharply contrasting account, alleging unprovoked gunfire at civilians in the vicinity of the aid center.
International condemnation of Israel's handling of the aid crisis in Gaza continues. The United Nations, for instance, has warned that the entire population in the territory is at risk of famine. To address this, GHF clarified that as of Monday, it had distributed more than 5.8 million meals worth of food from its centers.
- Gaza
- Israel
- United Nations
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- The United Nations has called for an independent investigation into a deadly incident near an American-backed aid center in Gaza, raising questions about Israel's actions.
- The Gaza Health Ministry has presented a sharply contrasting account to the Israeli military's version of events, claiming unprovoked gunfire at civilians near the aid center.
- Israel has collaborated with Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF) to establish a new aid distribution system in Gaza, which bypasses the UN-led one, causing concerns about neutrality.
- In an effort to alleviate the risk of famine in Gaza, as warned by the United Nations, GHF has distributed more than 5.8 million meals worth of food from its centers as of Monday.
