Gaza Strip officials on 19/7 accused Israeli tanks of firing on Palestinian civilians as they tried to access two food aid distribution points in the southern Gaza Strip, killing at least 26 and wounding over 100. Most of the fatalities occurred in the Teina area, about 3 km from a Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF) aid distribution center.
Mahmud Basal, spokesperson for the Hamas-run Gaza Civil Defense, told AFP that 22 people died near the Khan Younis distribution point and four others near a center in Rafah. He accused "Israeli forces" of opening fire, resulting in casualties in both incidents.
The Associated Press, citing witnesses and hospital officials in Gaza, reported the death toll at 32.
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Palestinians carry sacks of donated flour in Gaza City on 12/7. Photo: AP |
Palestinians carry sacks of donated flour in Gaza City on 12/7. Photo: AP
The GHF stated that no shooting occurred near their distribution sites. The organization emphasized that the incidents happened far from their facilities and hours before they opened. "We have repeatedly warned aid recipients not to travel to the distribution points overnight or in the early morning," the GHF stated.
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) confirmed that units in Rafah fired warning shots on 19/7 after identifying "a suspicious group" approaching their post and ignoring warnings. The IDF said they are investigating reports of casualties, noting that the incident happened at night when the distribution center was closed.
Witness Mahmoud Mokeimar said he was traveling with a crowd towards the distribution point when warning shots were fired. Israeli soldiers then allegedly began firing on the crowd.
Another witness, Akram Aker, said Israeli forces fired on the crowd with tank-mounted machine guns and a drone between 5 and 6 a.m. on 19/7. Sanaa al-Jaberi, 55, saw many dead and wounded as people fled the area. "We were shouting 'food, food,' but they didn't say anything and just opened fire," she said.
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Map of Gaza Strip cities. Graphic: BBC |
Map of Gaza Strip cities. Graphic: BBC
Israeli newspaper Haaretz, citing medical sources, reported that many of the wounded are in critical condition, and several victims at the scene were children and young adults. The director of Nasser hospital described receiving "an unprecedented number of casualties in a very short period" and warned the final toll could be higher.
Over two million Palestinians in the Gaza Strip are facing a severe humanitarian crisis.
The GHF's food distribution organization has been criticized for its potential to create "deadly chaos." Last week, 19 Palestinians were killed in a stampede near a GHF center. The organization blamed Hamas, describing the incident as a "calculated provocation" to disrupt humanitarian efforts.
Thanh Danh (Guardian, Times of Israel)
