Local doctors report that deaths and injuries occurred on Monday at a distribution location of the controversial aid organization Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF). The Israeli army confirms that shots were fired, but states that these were warning shots. There were also fatal incidents on Sunday.
According to health personnel, three people died at the food distribution location in Rafah. Hamas officials also report at least 35 injuries.
The Israeli army says that warning shots were fired on Monday night about 1 kilometer from the aid distribution point. In a statement, seen by Reuters and The Times of Israel, among others, the army says it is aware of casualties and an investigation has been launched.
The locations of aid organization GHF open the gates at 5:00 AM, but Gazans often leave hours earlier to be on time. According to OCHA, the UN organization for emergency aid, hunger now prevails in almost the entire Gaza Strip.
The GHF warns that residents are at risk by leaving so early. International aid organizations had previously complained that Israel exposes the local population to risks by forcing them to come to aid distribution points for food packages.
Harm Goossens, director of the Dutch Red Cross, therefore calls the aid provided via the GHF a “sham solution” and calls for emergency aid to be left to “professional and independent organizations.” “Aid must save lives, now it costs lives.”
Claire Manera, emergency aid coordinator at Doctors Without Borders, agrees with him. “Humanitarian aid must be given by organizations that can do so in a safe and proper manner.”
UN Chief Calls for Investigation into Deaths at Aid Center
On Sunday, according to local authorities and international aid organizations, 31 people died and 169 were injured at the aid distribution location in Rafah. UN chief António Guterres called for an independent investigation into the incident on Monday.
The Israeli army denies firing on people seeking aid at an aid distribution point of the GHF. The aid organization itself also says in a statement on Monday that there were no incidents at the location.
Several media reported on Sunday about Israeli fire. Among others, the spokesperson of the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs shared a video that would show that members of Hamas had shot.
Later, the army clarified that the video was not recorded in Rafah, but in Khan Younis. It is unclear whether the armed men in that video are members of Hamas, another militia or a criminal gang.
Among others, the BBC is investigating the various videos that have been released in the hours after the incident. No results have been shared yet.