Israel's gunfire reportedly claims lives of 36 individuals, six close by an aid centre in Gaza
GAZA UPDATE: Multiple deaths reported in Gaza amidst US-backed aid distribution and renewed Israeli operations
In a chaotic turn of events this Saturday, Gaza's civil defence agency reported the deaths of at least 36 Palestinians, six of whom suffered at the hands of Israeli forces near a US-supported aid distribution center in Rafah. This tragedy occurs after the aid center was briefly suspended following similar incidents earlier this week.
Crowds have been gathering at the Al-Alam roundabout daily since late May, seeking humanitarian aid from the center about a kilometer away. Notably, near the roundabout, Israeli forces allegedly fired "warning shots" upon individuals who, as per their statement, were advancing dangerously close.
Samir Abu Hadid, an eyewitness to the incident early Saturday, recounted a scene where thousands of people had gathered near the roundabout. Accounts suggest that as some civilians attempted to advance towards the aid center, the Israeli military responded with lethal force from armored vehicles stationed near the distribution center.
The Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, officially a privately-funded initiative with uncertain origins, commenced operations in late May as Israel eased an over two-month-long aid blockade on the territory. Notably, prominent humanitarian organizations like the United Nations and significant aid groups have declined to collaborate with this entity, citing concerns that it could serve Israeli military's interests.
Meanwhile, an international activist coalition organized the Madleen boat, aiming to deliver aid to Gaza by breaking Israel's naval blockade. As of Saturday, the vessel was nearing Gaza, with human rights activist Yasemin Acar reporting from aboard, "We are now sailing off the Egyptian coast... We are all good." The International Committee for Breaking the Siege of Gaza has expressed concerns about potential interception, warning that it would constitute a violation of international humanitarian law.
As the international community grapples with the worsening humanitarian crisis in Gaza, Israel's military operations in Rafah have intensified in recent weeks, aiming to combat Hamas. In a special operation on Friday, the Israeli military claimed to have recovered the body of Thai hostage Nattapong Pinta, who was reportedly seized by the Mujahideen Brigades, an armed group allied with Hamas. The military claimed that Pinta was "brutally murdered in captivity," with Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz pointing the finger at the terrorist organization for his death.
The escalating violence in Gaza has raised concerns about the risk of war-and-conflicts. The international community, in the midst of general news headlines, is closely watching the political landscape as the US backs Israeli operations. Amidst these developments, crime-and-justice reports have surfaced, with allegations of Israeli forces using lethal force against civilians in the vicinity of US-supported aid distribution centers, as seen in the recent incident in Rafah.
