Thirty-one Palestinians perish en route to an aid center in Gaza, as confirmed by authorities and eyewitnesses.
In the Gaza Strip's tragic turn of events, Sunday claimed the lives of at least 31 individuals, and numerous injuries surpassing 170, as per health officials and numerous eyewitness accounts[1][2]. The gruesome incident unfolded as people were making their way to collect essential food supplies. The distressing incident took place approximately a kilometer (1,000 yards) from a new aid site supported by an Israeli-backed foundation[1].
Israel's defense force maintained that its soldiers did not open fire on civilians near the site, citing an initial assessment. However, the foundation, championed by both Israel and the United States, stated unequivocally that its aid distribution operation went off smoothly without any incident whatsoever[1]. As is often the case with these sites, located in Israeli military zones with no access for independent media, it is a challenging task to corroborate such claims[1].
Philippe Lazzarini, head of the United Nations agency for Palestinian refugees, spoke out, expressing his dismay, stating, "Aid distribution has become a death trap."
The turbulent beginnings of a new aid system
The Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF) has been marked by turmoil since the beginning of its operations. Poorly planned, chaotic aid distribution has become commonplace, with eyewitness accounts of Israeli forces firing on unarmed civilians near GHF sites[1][3]. Before the regrettable incident on Sunday, no fewer than 17 lives were claimed over the prior week, as desperate citizens perished while attempting to reach these sites[1].
The private security contractors tasked with protecting the sites deny ever firing on the crowds, yet it is a known fact that Israeli soldiers have indeed resorted to warning shots in previous instances[1].
Upon the distribution of 16 truckloads of aid early on Sunday, the GHF issued a statement categorically refuting any allegations of deaths, mass injuries, and chaos[1].
Chaos and confusion on the ground
Thousands of individuals gathered well before dawn, setting out to reach the distribution site in southern Gaza. After being instructed by Israeli forces to disperse and return at a later time, the crowds slowly approached the Flag Roundabout, approximately 1 kilometer away[1]. It was around 3 a.m. when Israeli forces apparently opened fire, according to numerous eyewitness reports.
Amr Abu Teiba, who was present at the scene, recounted, "There was fire from all directions, from naval warships, from tanks, and drones." He further detailed observing at least 10 bodies with gunshot wounds and numerous additional injured individuals, including women. In a bid to transport the deceased and injured, spectators utilized carts to transport them to a field hospital[1].
Over 90% of the victims reportedly suffered injuries in the upper part of their bodies, including the head, neck, and chest[1]. At Nasser Hospital, 24 individuals were receiving critical care[1]. Later on, surgeon, Khaled al-Ser, confirmed that 150 wounded individuals were admitted, accompanied by 28 lifeless bodies[1].
Ibrahim Abu Saoud, another eyewitness, recounted Israeli soldiers shooting from a distance of around 300 meters (yards)[1]. He described witnessing many people sustaining gunshot wounds, including one young man who perished on the spot[1]. “We were unable to assist him,” he stated[1].
Mohammed Abu Teaima, a 33-year-old witness, described harrowing scenes of Israeli forces firing directly at civilians, resulting in the death of his cousin and a woman[1].
An Associated Press reporter arrived at the field hospital around 6 a.m., where numerous wounded individuals, including women and children, were observed[1]. As the reporter left the premises, crowds of people were seen returning from the distribution point, some of whom were carrying boxes of aid, while the majority appeared to be empty-handed[1].
Health officials, speaking on condition of anonymity due to restrictions, confirmed a toll of 21 fatalities and another 175 wounded individuals[1]. The Health Ministry later updated these figures. “This is an act of cruelty. Enough with the humiliation. They humiliated us for the sake of food,” said bereaved Ilham Jarghon, echoing the sentiments of countless others[1].
Violations of humanitarian principles
Israel and the United States assert that the new system is primarily intended to prevent Hamas from misappropriating assistance[3]. Israel has presented no evidence to back the claim of systematic diversion, while the UN refutes it outright[3].
The UN agencies and major aid groups have rejected any cooperation with this controversial new system, arguing that it undermines fundamental humanitarian principles by allowing Israel to exercise control over who receives aid and forcing people to relocate to distribution centers, putting them at risk of further displacement in the densely populated coastal territory[3].
“It's essentially engineered scarcity,” expressed Jonathan Whittall, interim head in Gaza of the UN humanitarian office[3].
The existing UN system has faced difficulties in bringing aid after Israel slightly eased its lengthy blockade of the territory[3]. The groups claim that Israeli limitations, the breakdown of law and order, and widespread looting severely impede their ability to deliver aid to the approximately 2 million inhabitants of Gaza[3].
Experts have expressed grave concerns that the territory is teetering on the brink of widespread famine if further aid is not forthcoming[3].
The hostilities began when Hamas-affiliated militants carried out deadly attacks on southern Israel on October 7, 2023, killing more than 1,200 civilians and abducting 251. At present, 58 hostages remain in captivity, with around a third believed to be still alive[1]. The Israeli military campaign has resulted in the deaths of over 54,000 individuals, a majority of whom are women and children, according to Gaza's Health Ministry[1]. The offensive has wreaked havoc, destroying vast areas, displacing nearly the entire population and virtually pushing the citizens to rely solely on international aid.
The attempts at negotiating a ceasefire appeared to falter on Saturday when Hamas publicly announced amendments to a US ceasefire proposal that Israel had approved, prompting U.S. envoy to deem it "unacceptable"[1].
- The Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, operating in Washington State, has been embroiled in controversy, with Seattle-based eyewitnesses reporting chaotic aid distribution and alleged incidents of violence involving Israeli forces.
- Amidst the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the politics of aid distribution have been under scrutiny, with the General News and Crime-and-Justice sectors raising concerns about the safety and human rights of those seeking essential supplies in Gaza.
- As the situation in the Gaza Strip unfolds, the international community, including United Nations agencies and major aid groups, have voiced their opposition to the new aid system, citing violations of humanitarian principles and the risk of further displacement for the territory's residents.
