Humanitarian crisis deepens as Israeli strike hits Gaza aid point
At least 26 people were killed on Sunday in an Israeli attack on a humanitarian aid distribution point near the city of Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip, reported Reuters, citing Hamas-controlled media. According to a nearby Red Cross hospital, at least 21 people died, and 275 were injured.
What do you need to know?
- Attack on aid point: The Israeli attack on the humanitarian aid distribution point in Rafah in the Gaza Strip resulted in the death of at least 26 people, with many more injured.
- Target of the attack: According to the Times of Israel, the target of the attack was a group of people heading to the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF) facility in Al-Mawasi. This organization is supported by the USA and Israel.
- Humanitarian crisis: Israel recently agreed to lift the blockade on supplies to the Gaza Strip, but these supplies are insufficient.
Why was there an attack on the aid point?
A spokesperson for the Hamas-controlled civil defense in the Gaza Strip, Mahmud Basala, told AFP that Israeli vehicles fired at thousands of people heading early in the morning towards the American humanitarian aid centre west of Rafah.
According to the Times of Israel, the target of the attack was a group of people who were on their way to the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF) facility located in Al-Mawasi. The organization presents itself as an independent entity responsible for aid distribution, but according to media reports, its activities are supported by the USA and Israel.
The Israeli side has not commented on these reports so far.
Is this another Israeli attack?
On Wednesday, Hamas accused the Israeli army of killing at least three Palestinians and injuring 46 near one of the GHF aid distribution points. The organization denied these reports. The military stated that its soldiers fired warning shots in an area outside the aid point to regain control over thousands of Palestinians storming it.
Last week, Israel agreed to lift the blockade on all supplies to the Gaza Strip that had been in place since early March. According to aid organisations, halting assistance has deepened the humanitarian crisis in this territory, including hunger, and the current supplies are insufficient.
Israeli authorities imposed the blockade, accusing Hamas of looting food. They announced a new aid distribution system that will prevent pilfering.
Controversies around GHF
The activities of GHF have been criticised by organisations already present in the Gaza Strip, including the UN. There are allegations that the GHF system effectively puts the organisation of aid distribution into the hands of one side of the conflict, forces Palestinians to relocate southwards, and does not meet their needs.
Unlike the previous, decentralised aid distribution system, the GHF model is based on large distribution centres where food packages are distributed to meet the needs of entire families for several days. Additionally, there are concerns about the presence of private military companies guarding these points and the announcement of using biometric technology to identify aid recipients.
