Israeli Soldiers Kill 16 Gazans Waiting for Humanitarian Aid
At least 16 Palestinians were shot dead by Israeli soldiers while waiting for humanitarian aid in the Gaza Strip, as reported by medical personnel at Shifa Hospital in Gaza City on Saturday. The victims were gathered near the northern Zikim border crossing, anticipating the arrival of aid trucks. In addition to the fatalities, approximately 300 people sustained injuries during the incident.
The Israeli military has not officially commented on the shooting, and independent verification of the details is still pending. Eyewitness accounts indicate that similar incidents have occurred previously, where Gazans have faced violence while queuing for aid or near border crossings.
A rival aid organization, the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), which is supported by Israel and the UN, has been active in the region. Reports from Palestinian media suggest that Israeli forces have targeted individuals waiting for assistance, despite GHF’s efforts to facilitate aid distribution. These distribution centers are reportedly guarded by private US security firms, raising concerns about the safety of those seeking help.
Israel’s military has stated that soldiers may open fire if individuals approach troops without authorization or enter restricted areas. The GHF has consistently denied allegations of attacks on civilians. Nevertheless, according to the United Nations, hundreds of deaths have occurred at GHF distribution stations since the end of May 2023.
Israel recently implemented a new aid distribution mechanism, asserting that it aims to prevent Hamas from diverting humanitarian supplies. Previously, the UN managed around 400 distribution stations serving approximately 2 million Palestinians in the Gaza Strip. Currently, these stations are barely operational due to severe restrictions on resupply by Israeli authorities.
International aid organizations have described the humanitarian situation in Gaza as catastrophic. The Israeli government allows only limited amounts of aid into the blockaded region, contributing to widespread starvation among the population. According to local health authorities, more than 100 individuals have died from malnutrition, with around 80% of these being children.
Israel disputes claims of famine in Gaza, attributing the food shortages to the inefficiencies of UN organizations in distributing aid. The UN argues that the Israeli military often fails to provide secure transport routes within the area, complicating their efforts to deliver assistance.
According to the Coordination of Government Activities in the Territories (COGAT), the Israeli military authority overseeing aid transport, 100 trucks carrying humanitarian supplies entered Gaza on Friday, with the UN responsible for distributing these goods. However, in recent weeks, aid agencies report that only a few convoys have reached the area. For Gaza to receive sufficient supplies, experts estimate that at least 500 trucks per day would be necessary to meet the population’s needs.
The ongoing violence and restrictions on aid access continue to exacerbate the already dire conditions faced by Gazans, drawing international concern and calls for a reassessment of humanitarian strategies in the region.
