Gaza (Brussels Morning Newspaper) – At least 31 people were killed in Gaza on Sunday by an Israeli strike close to an aid distribution centre operated by a private U.S.-based organisation, according to local health officials, as Israel and Hamas shifted blame over a failed truce attempt.
The event in Rafah, in the southern part of the enclave, was the most recent in a string of incidents that highlight the unstable security situation that has made it difficult to bring supplies to Gaza after an Israeli embargo that lasted over three months was lifted last month.
Is Israel targeting areas with humanitarian aid activity?
Near an aid collecting centre in Rafah, the Palestinian Red Crescent, which is linked with the International Red Cross, reported that its medical workers had collected the remains of 23 Palestinians and treated another 23 injured. The Rafah humanitarian distribution centres are run by the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, a U.S.-based organisation.
In addition, 14 other Palestinians were hurt close to another location in central Gaza, according to the Red Crescent. Additionally, GHF runs a distribution centre for supplies in central Gaza. The number of fatalities was previously reported as 30 by Hamas-affiliated media and the Palestinian news agency WAFA. According to the local health officials, Nasser Hospital has received at least 31 bodies thus far.
What did the Israeli military say?
In a statement, Israel’s military said it was investigating claims that Palestinians had been shot at a location where aid was distributed, but it was not aware of any casualties brought on by Israeli fire. GHF said all of their distribution had happened without any problems and denied that anyone had been murdered or hurt close to their location in Rafah.
On the other hand, Residents and medical professionals reported that a tank began to fire on thousands of civilians travelling to get relief from the Rafah location. In contrast, Israeli soldiers fired from the ground at a nearby crane that provided a view of the area.
How impartial is the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation’s mission?
Bypassing conventional relief organisations, GHF is a U.S.-based organisation supported by the Israeli and American governments that delivers humanitarian supplies in Gaza. It started operations in Gaza last month, and thousands of people have gathered aid from its three locations.
The international world has strongly criticised GHF, with U.N. officials claiming that its aid initiatives will simply encourage greater bloodshed and the forced evacuation of Palestinians. In May, the group’s executive director quit, claiming that the organisation lacked impartiality and independence. The company’s funding source is unclear.
A fresh Arab and U.S. mediation attempt to arrange a temporary truce and the release of Israeli captives held in Gaza by Hamas in return for Palestinians in Israeli jails failed, as Israel and Hamas exchanged blame for Sunday’s incident.
