Dozens killed near Gaza aid sites as distribution turns deadly
Two hospitals reported that 25 people were killed overnight near a flour convoy and a food distribution site operated by the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF) in the Netzarim corridor, a military zone controlled by Israel in central Gaza.
At least 31 Palestinians have been killed while trying to access food aid in Gaza, hospital officials say, in the latest deadly incidents near aid distribution centres linked to a controversial new relief system backed by the US and Israel.
Two hospitals reported that 25 people were killed overnight near a flour convoy and a food distribution site operated by the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF) in the Netzarim Corridor, a military zone controlled by Israel in central Gaza.
Nasser hospital in Khan Younis reported another six deaths from Israeli gunfire near a GHF centre in Rafah, southern Gaza.
The Hamas-run Civil Defence agency said Israeli troops opened fire in the Netzarim corridor. There were also reports of people being shot by Palestinians and others crushed by lorries in the chaos.
The Israeli military said it fired warning shots at suspects who approached its forces and was reviewing the reports from Rafah.
Despite the violence, the GHF said over 43,000 food parcels were distributed on Wednesday without incident at its three centres in Rafah and central Gaza.
However, similar deadly events have been reported almost daily since the GHF began operating under a new system on 26 May.
Gaza’s health ministry, which is under Hamas, said that in the past two weeks, 223 people have been killed and 1,858 injured while attempting to reach designated aid areas.
The GHF, which uses US private security contractors, was set up to deliver aid directly and avoid using the United Nations as the main channel.
The UN and other humanitarian organisations have refused to cooperate with the new system, saying it violates principles of neutrality, impartiality and independence.
They warn that Gaza is on the brink of famine, following a near-total Israeli blockade that lasted almost three months and was only partly eased three weeks ago.
The US and Israel argue the GHF system prevents aid theft by Hamas. The UN denies that this is a widespread issue, while Hamas says it does not take the aid.
The Israeli military offensive in Gaza began after the Hamas-led attack on southern Israel on 7 October 2023, which killed around 1,200 people and saw 251 others taken hostage. Since then, Gaza’s health ministry says at least 55,104 people have been killed.
