Gaza: Israeli ‘death trap’ during humanitarian aid distribution – 31 dead from new Israeli fire

Yet another bloodbath occurred in Gaza as Palestinians ran to an aid distribution point in Rafah, in the southern part of the Gaza Strip. At least 31 people lost their lives in the new attack launched by Israel near the aid distribution site. This tragic event once again highlights the insecurity surrounding aid distribution in Gaza following the partial lifting of a nearly three-month Israeli blockade last month. Health official Abu Tarek warned, “There are dead and injured. It’s a tragic situation here. I advise no one to go to the aid distribution points. Enough.” The Palestinian Red Crescent, linked with the International Committee of the Red Cross, stated that its medical teams recovered the bodies of 23 Palestinians and treated another 23 wounded near the aid distribution site in Rafah. Local health authorities reported that at least 31 bodies had been transferred so far to Nasser Hospital. Residents and health workers said that Israeli soldiers fired on them from the ground using a drone and a tank opened fire against thousands of people going to collect aid at the Rafah center. Rentaa Abu Jazar said her brother was killed while waiting for food at the Rafah aid distribution center. “Make them stop these massacres, stop this genocide. They are killing us,” she said as Palestinian men gathered for funeral prayers. The Red Crescent also reported that 14 Palestinians were injured today by Israeli fire near a separate installation in central Gaza. The Hamas-led Gaza government accused Israel of using aid as a weapon, exploiting starving civilians and forcing them into death zones controlled by the Israeli army. Meanwhile, the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF) denied any deaths or injuries near its Rafah installation and claimed all distributions went smoothly. GHF criticized Hamas for spreading ‘false reports.’ Funded by the U.S. and Israeli governments, GHF began providing humanitarian aid last month bypassing traditional aid organizations. The organization has faced widespread criticism, with UN officials stating its plans could only lead to the forced displacement of Palestinians and more violence.