Third Consecutive Day of Fatal Fire Near Rafah Aid Distribution
Gaza Aid Distribution Shooting left at least 27 Palestinians dead Tuesday as they approached an aid site in Gaza. The incident marks the third straight day of deadly shootings near Rafah, according to Palestinian health officials and Nasser hospital.
The shooting occurred near the Tel al-Sultan area, just west of Rafah. The victims were reportedly heading toward a distribution point organized by the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF).
Israeli Forces Say Suspects Deviated From Route
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) claimed troops opened fire only after warning shots. “Several suspects moved off the designated route,” an IDF statement said. “Additional shots were directed near individuals who continued advancing.”
The IDF also said it was investigating reports of casualties.
Footage obtained by media showed victims arriving at Nasser hospital in Khan Younis. Many were on stretchers, some covered in blood.
Aid Site Was Briefly Announced, Then Canceled
The GHF used a Facebook page early Tuesday to announce a southern Gaza aid site. It instructed residents to begin lining up at 5 a.m. via a designated corridor. The page warned that IDF troops would be on-site to ensure safety.
Roughly one hour later, the same page posted that the aid site would be closed. Media reported that no official explanation was given, and GHF has yet to respond to requests for comment.
Ongoing Violence Near Aid Routes
The shootings follow two similar incidents on Sunday and Monday. On Monday, Israeli forces shot and killed three Palestinians near the same area, injuring dozens more. The IDF said it had fired warning shots from about a kilometer away.
Sunday saw one of the deadliest aid-related incidents in recent memory. Palestinian officials reported 31 deaths, with many more wounded. Israel denied firing “within or near” the aid site but admitted that its forces fired shots about a kilometer away before the site opened.
Humanitarian Conditions Worsen Under Blockade
Gaza has been under an Israeli blockade for 11 weeks. Food, fuel, and medical supplies are in short supply. Famine conditions have worsened across the region, making aid sites a desperate destination for many civilians.
One Palestinian aid worker said anonymously, “This crisis is not just humanitarian.” “It’s turning into a massacre.”
With growing international pressure and internal despair, the situation near aid corridors remains volatile.
Source: CNN