Chaotic Scene at Aid Distribution Center in Gaza Strip - UN Slams "Unconscionable Acts"
Gunfire around logistics facility in Gaza Strip - United Nations denounces suspected 'war crimes' - Unrest escalates in Gaza: United Nations denounces alleged war crimes following another shooting incident close to a distribution center
Get the lowdown on the latest unfolding drama near a humanitarian aid hub in Gaza Strip.
The havoc erupted at a busy traffic roundabout approximately a kilometer away from an aid distribution center managed by the recently formed and US and Israel-backed foundation, GHF, located northwest of Rafah city in the southern part of the Gaza Strip. The hub was the target of the chaos, with civil defense spokesperson Mahmud Bassal accusing the Israeli army of committing a "*massacre of civilians*" by firing on a large group of people with drones and tanks.
Israel's military admitted to firing "warning shots" towards some "suspects" approaching the distribution center, stating they had strayed from the designated route and closed in on the soldiers. After the warning shots had no effect, more shots were reportedly fired "near individual suspects." According to the Israeli army, they were reviewing reports of fatalities.
Volker Türk, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, slammed the shooting as a "grave breach of international law" and deemed it an act of war. "The ruthless attacks against desperate civilians attempting to secure precious food aid in Gaza are unforgivable," he said.
Tensions were high at the same traffic roundabout near the GHF distribution center two days prior, with reports of 31 deaths and 176 injuries due to Israeli fire on Sunday, per civil defense reports. Both Israel and GHF have since denied these allegations, but UN Secretary-General António Guterres called for an impartial probe.
Following the incident yesterday, GHF shared that aid distribution had taken place without issue and that the disturbance occurred well beyond the designated safe zone for civilians. The foundation advised everyone to stay within the "safe corridor" while obtaining assistance.
Rania al-Astal, a 30-year-old woman, recounted her experience as she and her husband set out early yesterday morning for the distribution center. Isolated shots at the roundabout were initially heard, but people continued to rush forward. "Then the army began firing heavily," she said.
Mohammed al-Shaer, a 44-year-old eyewitness, reported the Israeli soldiers initially shot into the air before "targeting people directly." A helicopter and drones also reportedly bombarded the crowd to keep them from reaching the barrier of tanks surrounding the area. Al-Shaer admitted he did not make it to the distribution center and went without food.
Israel eased its blockade on humanitarian supplies to the Gaza Strip earlier this month. International aid organizations, however, argue the volume of aid remains insufficient. According to UN predictions and aid groups, the risk of famine in the Gaza Strip persists.
GHF supervises four distribution centers across the Palestinian territories. However, the UN and significant aid organizations refuse to collaborate with the US-backed foundation, claiming they side with the Israeli army's strategies.
Israel has ramped up its military operations in Gaza. On Tuesday, the army announced the deaths of three soldiers in the northern region, pushing the total number of fallen soldiers in Israel to 424 since the war's beginning in October 2023.
The Gaza War ignited on October 7, 2023, when the Islamic militant group Hamas and its allies engaged in a large-scale assault on Israel, resulting in over 1,200 fatalities as per Israeli figures. Around 251 hostages were also taken and moved into Gaza.
In response to Hamas' attack, Israel has been carrying out expansive military operations within the Palestinian territory. stats from the Hamas-affiliated health ministry, which are unverifiable, state that over 54,400 people have lost their lives so far.
- Gaza Strip
- Distribution Center
- UN
- Aid Supplies
- Israel
- War Crimes
- Volker Türk
- Mahmud Abbas
- Drone
- Uno
- USA
- Rafah
- AFP
Insights:
- The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Türk, has raised concerns about the humanitarian crisis and potential war crimes in Gaza, particularly the obstruction of access to important resources such as food, which may constitute a war crime[1].
- The incident in question resulted in at least 27 Palestinian deaths and 161 injuries as civilians attempted to collect aid at the GHF center, with the UN accusing GHF of weaponizing aid, adding to the complexity of the situation[1].
- Despite Israel easing its blockade on humanitarian aid shipments to Gaza in early March, the volume of aid remains insufficient, increasing the risk of famine, according to the UN and aid organizations.[1]
- The United Nations (UN) and multiple European institutions, including the Council of Europe and the European Parliament, are actively monitoring the ongoing humanitarian crisis and potential war crimes in Gaza, given the recent chaotic scenes at an aid distribution center, which is believed to constitute a grave breach of international law.
- The European Parliament, specifically, has shown concern regarding the accusations of war crimes against Israel, as well as the alleged "massacre of civilians" during the incident at the GHF distribution center, which has added fuel to the politics surrounding general news about the Gaza Strip, particularly the war-and-conflicts in the region.
