Israeli forces opened fire near two aid distribution centers run by the Israeli-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), killing at least 10 Palestinians, witnesses and medical workers said. The incident occurred on Saturday as crowds of hungry Palestinians were begging for food, a situation that has further escalated violence.
This incident occurred a day after US officials visited one of the GHF points and after the US ambassador's statement calling this distribution system "an extraordinary achievement."
Meanwhile, at least 19 other Palestinians were shot dead near the Zikim crossing, close to the border with Israel, while trying to receive aid. Fares Awad, head of the emergency services of the Gaza health ministry, confirmed the tragedy.
Humanitarian aid efforts have faced major obstacles. A week after Israel announced a limited humanitarian pause and halted airstrikes, the hunger situation in Gaza has worsened. Gaza, home to more than 2 million people, now relies heavily on international aid after nearly 22 months of war.
Despite these measures, the United Nations, partners and the Palestinians say the aid is insufficient, noting that supplies have been blocked for months outside Gaza, awaiting approval from Israel. Trucks that do enter are often stolen by desperate people and criminal groups before they reach warehouses for distribution.
Experts warned this week that a “worst-case scenario of famine” was beginning to play out. Gaza’s Health Ministry announced on Saturday that seven Palestinians, including a child, had died from malnutrition-related causes in the past 24 hours.
