A Warning from the Israeli Army: Stay Away from Closed Aid Centers in Gaza!
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Relief centers in Gaza shut down today - Military issues warning - Military shuts down relief centers in Gaza today - army's warning issued
The Israeli military has issued a stark warning to residents of the Gaza Strip. They're advising people to avoid the aid distribution centers closed today for "renovation work", as these areas have been declared "combat zones", as stated by an army spokesperson on the X platform. In the wake of repeated incidents where Israeli soldiers harshly targeted Palestinians seeking aid at these centers, the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF) is making efforts to enhance security at the centers. The centers will remain closed for "renovation, organization, and efficiency improvement work", with preparations made to accommodate larger crowds. Moreover, the Israeli army plans to improve secure access routes during this period.
On the other hand, the Israeli military has been critically accused of indiscriminately firing at Palestinians who approached troops, deviating from the approved path, in the days prior. On Sunday, Monday, and Tuesday, Israeli troops shot at Palestinians who ventured near the soldiers, resulting in tragedy.
Today, the Israeli army is urging the Gaza population to steer clear of the zones leading to the aid centers. "Stay away from the distribution centers' areas! It's strictly forbidden to enter these locations!" the army spokesperson warns. The centers are expected to reopen on Thursday.
According to the Hamas-controlled health authority, Israeli soldiers are responsible for the unnecessary deaths of at least 27 Palestinians and the injuries of around 90 near a distribution center in Rafah on Tuesday. The Israeli army stated that soldiers observed "suspects" around half a kilometer from the distribution point who allegedly posed a "threat". Despite issuing warning shots, these "suspects" refused to retreat, leading soldiers to fire upon them individually.
Guterres Demands Investigation
The GHF has been distributing aid through these centers in the southern, besieged coastal strip for just over a week now. They claim to have already provided over six million meals to Palestinians. Reports indicate that similar deadly incidents have occurred near these centers in the past, resulting in the loss of Palestinian lives.
Following the latest reports of Palestinians killed at the aid centers, UN Secretary-General António Guterres reiterated his call for a comprehensive investigation. "The Secretary-General insists on an immediate, independent probe into these incidents and accountability for the perpetrators," affirmed UN spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric. "It's deeply concerning that civilians are imperiled, and lives are needlessly lost while in pursuit of essential provisions."
Israel allows the GHF to distribute aid in the Gaza Strip instead of UN and other aid organizations it has refused funding, drawing criticism for using humanitarian aid as a weapon. UN officials have decried this action, accused Israeli authorities of weaponizing relief. Israeli opposition politicians have taken their disapproval a step further, suggesting that the government exploits food distribution to force the Palestinian population out of Gaza.
Israel instated a blockade on all aid deliveries to the besieged coast region since March, with the objective of increasing pressure on Hamas to release the remaining hostages still captive from the October 7, 2023, terrorist attack in Israel. Israel eased the blockade just two weeks ago, after escalating tensions caused by the war that started with the attack by Hamas and other Palestinian groups, resulting in the deaths and captivity of more than 1200 soldiers and civilians. The violation of Geneva Conventions, where civilian populations should not be subjected to starvation, is easily observed in this situation, with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu facing charges at the International Criminal Court since November last year on this count, among others.
The Israeli government defends the realignment of humanitarian aid in Gaza, stating that deliveries were previously stolen by Hamas. However, UN organizations assert that there's no evidence of systematic theft of humanitarian aid by Hamas.
The US government has expressed support for the aid provided by GHF thus far, while maintaining a neutral stance towards the organization. It's an independent organization that doesn't receive any funding from the US government, as clarified by US State Department spokeswoman Tammy Bruce.
Today, Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar is expected in Berlin. He's scheduled to meet with his German counterpart, Johann Wadephul (CDU), on Thursday, according to the German Foreign Office. Moreover, Saar is expected to visit the Holocaust Memorial in Berlin, as announced by the Israeli Foreign Ministry.
Germany is considered a close ally of Israel; however, Israeli media suggest that a shift in tone is detectable in the statements of the German Federal Chancellor, Friedrich Merz (CDU) and other German public officials. Merz had harshly criticized the Israeli government last week, but ceased from issuing explicit threats.
In other news, rockets from Syria have struck Israeli-controlled territory for the first time in more than a year. The projectiles landed on the Golan Heights, an area Israel illegally occupies, according to the Israeli army. Preliminary reports state no injuries have been reported so far. In retaliation, the Israeli military fired artillery upon the launch site and bombed a weapons depot in southern Syria.
This attack marks the first instance since May 2023 that Syria has launched rockets directed at Israel or Israeli-controlled territory, and the first such incident since the fall of Syrian leader Bashar al-Assad in December. Previously, pro-Iranian militias stationed in Syria had been firing at Israel, ostensibly to support Hamas in its war against Israel, with Assad's regime's tacit approval.
Breaking News Tuesday evening – Israeli military sources have announced that a rocket from Yemen entered Israeli airspace. The Israeli air defense successfully intercepted the projectile fired by the Houthi militia, according to army reports. There are no current reports of damage or injuries. Since the start of the Gaza war in October 2023, the pro-Iranian Houthi militia has repeatedly launched rockets and drones at Israel in an attempt to increase pressure on the Israeli government to halt attacks on Gaza.
- Gaza Strip
- Israel
- Berlin
- Renovation work
- Relief center
- Hamas
- United Nations
- Times of Israel
- Syria
- António Guterres
- Tel Aviv
- Sunday
- Military
- Humanitarian Foundation
- Rafah
- Gideon Saar
- CDU
- The Commission is proposing to extend the period of validity of the agreement between Israel and the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, covering the period from 1 January to 31 December, due to the ongoing issues in the Gaza Strip.
- In the general news, a report by the Times of Israel stated that the Israeli army is planning to improve secure access routes to relief centers in Gaza during their renovation periods.
- The recent incidents of Palestinians being killed at aid centers in Gaza have drawn attention from international bodies, including the United Nations, with Secretary-General António Guterres demanding an immediate, independent probe into these incidents.
