At least 31 Palestinians were killed and dozens were injured by a fire at a humanitarian aid distribution point managing a private institution with US support in the south, according to the Palestinian Ministry of Health.
The ministry said more than 200 injured were taken to hospitals, including dozens of serious injuries, stating that all the dead had been shot in the head or chest.
In a brief answer to a CNN question, Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) said that “they are not aware of IDF fire injuries in the humanitarian aid distribution area. The issue is under investigation. There were no losses between our own forces. “
“Citizens’ crowds were directed to receive food aid” from the point in the Rafa area when the Israeli forces opened fire, a Palestinian Red Crescent Rescuer (PRCS) said, which was the only medical presence in the area.
What does the GHF private institution say
However, the Gaza Humanitarian Aid Foundation (GHF), which manages the point,: “There were no shots at the (center) of distribution or in the surrounding area.” GHF is a private institution with support from Israel and the US. It was created in the midst of Israeli accusations that Hamas is stealing humanitarian aid in Gaza and making profits from its sale, although Israel has not shown public evidence. Humanitarian organizations say there is no evidence of it.
United Nations Organizations have criticized GHF’s help mechanism, arguing that it violates humanitarian authorities and increasing the risk for Palestinians. The criticism of Israel and GHF have intensified after the chaos of last week, when tens of thousands of hungry Palestinians gathered at two new food distribution points.
According to data from the Palestinian Ministry of Health before Sunday’s incident, 11 people have been killed and dozens are injured since the distribution points were opened. GHF had stated on Thursday that no one had been killed or injured by the start of aid distribution last week.
In a statement earlier on Sunday, before CNN addressing the incident in Rafa, the GHF said it would “continue its expansion, with plans to create additional distribution points across the Gaza, including in the northern part, in the coming weeks.”
The statement added that it has distributed more than 4.7 million meals in six days, including 16 food trucks on Sunday morning, providing more than 887,000 meals.
However, the picture seems to be mixed, claiming that reports on distribution are inaccurate.
The distribution took place “no incidents”, GHF said, with the organization adding that “it is aware of rumors that are actively spread by Hamas and referring to deaths and injuries today.”
UN humanitarian organizations, such as UNRWA, usually control identities and are based on a database of registered families to distribute assistance.
However, GHF does not carry out checks by Palestinians at distribution points, despite the fact that Israeli officials had stated that increased security measures were a major reason for the creation of this new program.
