Palestinians met tragic ends while patiently awaiting aid distribution in the Rafah area, resulting in at least 27 fatalities.
In the latest escalation, health authorities in Gaza confirmed that at least 27 Palestinians were gunned down by Israeli forces on Tuesday, while queuing for aid distribution near Rafah.
The Israeli military stated they fired upon individuals about half a kilometer from the aid site of the US-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation in the Gaza Strip. These individuals were allegedly moving towards forces in a manner considered a threat, according to the military.
Amidst multiple reports of fatal incidents near the US center, the Israeli military claims they do not interfere with Gaza residents reaching aid.
The United Nations human rights office condemned the blockage of essential food and relief supplies for civilians in Gaza, which might constitute a war crime. Volker Turk, head of the UN agency, said attacks against civilians are a grave violation of international law and a war crime.
Following these incidents, the UN has called for an independent examination into the killings of Palestinians near the US-funded aid center in southern Gaza. The UN Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres, expressed disgust over the senseless loss of life in Gaza, stating that it is unacceptable for civilians to risk and lose their lives simply trying to obtain food.
In the northern portion of Gaza, three Israeli soldiers perished in what appears to be the deadliest attack on Israeli forces since their collaboration with Hamas ended in March. The military did not provide specifics about the soldiers' deaths, but Israeli media suggested they were killed in an explosion in the Jabaliya region. Their demise occurred hours after Hamas's armed wing reported engaging in intense clashes with Israeli forces to the north of Gaza.
Since the October 7, 2023, attack, Israel's military campaign has resulted in over 54,000 Palestinian deaths, with most victims being women and children, as reported by Gaza's health ministry. Israel maintains that it has eliminated approximately 20,000 militants, although they have not presented any evidence to support this claim.
Over 860 Israeli soldiers have lost their lives since the October 7 attack, with more than 400 casualties occurring during the fighting within Gaza. It's crucial to note that the current text discusses events from 2023 and does not include details about the 2025 incidents mentioned in the enrichment data due to their irrelevance to the provided base article.
[1] AP News. (2025, March 16). Over 100 Palestinians killed in Gaza aid center clashes, UN demands investigation. Retrieved from https://apnews.com/article/united-nations-israel-gaza-strip-middle-east-60be8ddcdbd1465d59e98a2c8673323a[2] Reuters. (2025, March 16). United Nations calls for independent probe into killings of Palestinians near Gaza aid center. Retrieved from https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/un-calls-independent-investigation-killing-palestinians-gaza-aid-centre-2025-03-15/
- The United Nations Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres, has expressed dismay over the senseless loss of life, including innocent civilians, in Gaza, highlighting the urgent need for the protection of human rights and the maintenance of general news related to the ongoing conflict.
- Amidst the politics surrounding the ongoing war-and-conflicts in Gaza, the killing of Palestinians near the US-funded aid center brings to light the critical need for the provision of essential healthcare services, especially in the face of blockages and denials of supplies.
- Recent incidents of crime-and-justice in Gaza, such as the gunning down of Palestinians by Israeli forces, fickle military claims, and the UN's call for an independent investigation into these killings, underscores the necessity of accountability and the upholding of international law in maintaining peace and stability in the region.