KHAN YOUNIS, June 15: At least eight Palestinians were killed and dozens wounded near Israeli- and US-supported food distribution points in Gaza’s Rafah city, according to health officials. Witnesses blamed the Israeli military, which has not yet commented. The shooting happened as desperate Palestinians headed to aid sites run by the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, a group Israel and the US back to replace the UN’s aid system—rejected by the UN for violating humanitarian principles. Gaza’s prolonged blockade and military campaign have crippled food production, causing widespread hunger among its two million residents, who largely depend on aid.
Since the sites opened last month, near-daily shootings have occurred, with Israeli forces reportedly firing at crowds. The military says it fired warning shots at suspected threats. Nasser Hospital received eight bodies after Sunday’s shooting, part of 65 Palestinians killed in the last 24 hours from Israeli strikes or gunfire.
The new aid system faces criticism from the UN, which says it gives Israel control over aid distribution and risks further displacement. Israel and the US accuse Hamas of diverting UN aid, a claim the UN denies. The aid points are in Israeli military zones off-limits to independent media.The conflict began with Hamas’ October 7, 2023 attack on southern Israel, killing about 1,200 people and taking hostages. Israel’s campaign has killed over 55,000 Palestinians and displaced 90% of Gaza’s population. (AP)
