Local health officials reported that six Palestinians were killed by Israeli forces near an aid distribution center in southern Gaza on Saturday night, marking the fourth such incident in just one week. The fatalities occurred as people gathered in hope of receiving humanitarian assistance in west Rafah, as stated by Marwan Al-Hams, the director of field hospitals for the Palestinian Health Ministry.
The identities of the deceased have not yet been released, and NBC News was unable to immediately verify the casualty figures. The World Health Organization has previously indicated that it finds the Health Ministry’s data to be credible.
In a response, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) acknowledged the incident, explaining that their troops fired “warning shots” at several individuals they assessed to be a threat in the Tel al-Sultan refugee camp. The IDF claimed that, despite prior warnings regarding the nighttime combat zone, several individuals approached IDF troops in a manner they deemed threatening. The troops called out to these individuals to deter them before resorting to warning shots.
Notably, this incident contributes to a concerning trend, as earlier in the week, at least 30 people were reportedly killed in Rafah amid similar circumstances, with witnesses describing being fired upon from both the air and ground while awaiting aid. The IDF has termed claims of casualties at the distribution sites as “false,” defensively stating that their actions were a response to perceived threats.
The recent surge in violence has raised alarms among humanitarian groups and officials, especially with incidents where Israeli fire led to the deaths of others waiting for aid distribution. A haunting previous incident saw 27 individuals killed when IDF troops opened fire near an aid distribution point in Rafah, where many were trying to collect food.
As the situation unfolds, the international community continues to call for restraint and a renewed focus on humanitarian efforts to support the people affected by the ongoing conflict and ensure safety near aid distribution points.
This escalation in violence further emphasizes the urgent need for diplomatic solutions and humanitarian interventions to protect vulnerable populations affected by the ongoing conflict. The hope remains that dialogue may soon prevail over violence, leading to a more stable and peaceful atmosphere.