A recent shooting near an aid distribution site in central Gaza has resulted in the deaths and injuries of Palestinians, according to reports. The incident occurred as people gathered near the site, with Israeli troops reportedly firing on them. The exact number of casualties is unclear due to the internet blackout in Gaza, which has lasted for over two days, hindering the flow of information.
The aid distribution sites, run by the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, are currently closed until Sunday. However, many Palestinians remain near these sites, hoping to receive food parcels when they reopen. The lack of internet access has added to the confusion, as updates on the distribution sites are only available on the foundation’s Facebook page, accessible to those with e-sim cards.
This incident is part of a larger pattern of violence near aid distribution sites in Gaza. Since May 27, over 100 Palestinians have been killed, and hundreds more wounded, while trying to collect food from these sites. In a similar incident, at least 36 Palestinians were killed, and over 100 injured, when Israeli forces opened fire near an aid distribution site in central Gaza.
The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) has expressed concern about the functionality of Nasser Hospital in southern Gaza, which is struggling to provide essential treatment to those injured in such incidents. Dr. Feroze Sidwa, who recently worked at Nasser Hospital, emphasized the need for international support to protect the hospital and its staff, stating, “If international law has any remaining relevance, Nasser must be protected and resupplied, and its staff must be protected immediately.”
Dr. Victoria Rose, who worked at Nasser Hospital in May, warned of the dire consequences of the hospital’s potential collapse, saying, “This is the only hospital in the south of Gaza. Nowhere else has ITU beds, a CT scanner, oxygen generating capability, haemodialysis or a blood bank. Hundreds of patients will instantly die and all surgery will now have to take place in tents.”
The conflict in Gaza has resulted in significant human suffering, with at least 55,207 people killed since Israel launched a military campaign in response to the Hamas-led cross-border attack on October 7, 2023.