U.S. deems Gaza aid distribution a "triumph"
The U.S. lauded humanitarian aid to Gaza, despite tragic casualties, as a project with room for improvement. The White House declared its intention to probe the Israeli military's shootings during aid distributions by the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), a group endorsed by Israel and the United States.
Judd Leavitt from the White House, in conversation with journalists, hinted that the U.S. administration would delve into the matter before reaching any verdict. Yet, the Red Cross has already backed the initial local aid organizations' accounts of the incidents.
In contrast to the U.S., United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres vigorously denounced the shooting near a humanitarian aid distribution center, terming it unbelievable.
Meanwhile, the Israeli military announced an investigation into the matter, but it denies any responsibility. Effie Defrin, the army spokeswoman, claimed that soldiers fired warning shots at suspects who posed a threat to their security.
Recent days have seen numerous shooting incidents, as the GHF's aid distribution points were set up within Israeli military zones – a system aimed at circumventing Hamas. However, the UN contends that this approach doesn't tackle the worsening food crisis in Gaza, and Israel uses humanitarian aid as a weapon.
International outcry ensued after more than 50 deaths and over 50 injuries during aid distributions over the past week. One such incident saw at least 27 fatalities and over 90 injuries at a distribution center in southern Gaza. Yet, the Israeli military claims these instances were due to Hamas activities.
The GHF temporarily halted operations to address logistical challenges and security concerns after the recent tragedies. However, the organization resumed shortly after to enhance the safety and efficiency of their distribution sites.
As of now, there's no published investigation report on these incidents. Nevertheless, the escalating violence and casualties ignite global demands for a comprehensive investigation into the matter.
War-and-conflicts and politics continue to dominate headlines, as the international community calls for a thorough investigation into the deadly shootings during humanitarian aid distributions in Gaza. General-news outlets have been covering the recent tragic events, with crime-and-justice journalists questioning the Israeli military's claims that Hamas activities were responsible for the increased casualties. The UN and the Red Cross have voiced their concerns, with the Red Cross backing the initial accounts of local aid organizations. Despite the ongoing Israeli military investigation, the escalating violence and demand for answers place this issue at the forefront of the general-news landscape.
