Israeli soldiers reportedly shot and killed 16 Palestinians on Saturday while they were waiting for humanitarian aid near the northern Zikim border crossing in the Gaza Strip. The information comes from Palestinian doctors at the Shifa Hospital in Gaza City, who also stated that approximately 300 additional individuals sustained injuries during the incident. The Israeli military has not yet issued a comment regarding the situation, and the details remain unverified by independent sources.
The ongoing conflict has seen Gazans frequently targeted while waiting for humanitarian assistance or near border crossings. Recently, an Israeli and UN-backed rival aid organization, the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), has been distributing aid in the coastal enclave. However, multiple reports from Palestinian media indicate that Israeli forces have launched attacks on individuals waiting for aid. GHF distribution centers are also protected by private US security firms to ensure safety.
In previous statements, the Israeli military has maintained that its soldiers will fire upon suspects who approach troops without authorization or enter restricted areas. The GHF has consistently denied accusations of targeting individuals in line for assistance. Nevertheless, the United Nations has reported that hundreds of deaths have occurred at GHF distribution sites since late May 2023.
Israel introduced a new distribution system aimed at preventing Hamas from diverting supplies, which has significantly altered the previous framework. Prior to these changes, the UN operated around 400 distribution stations for roughly 2 million Palestinians in the region. Currently, these stations are struggling to function as Israel has largely restricted their resupply, leading to what international aid organizations describe as a catastrophic humanitarian situation.
The limited flow of aid into Gaza has resulted in widespread starvation, with local health authorities reporting that over 100 individuals have died from malnutrition, 80% of whom are children. Despite these alarming figures, Israel denies the existence of famine conditions in the region. The Israeli government attributes the food shortages to UN organizations, claiming inefficiencies in their distribution efforts.
The UN has countered that the Israeli military often fails to provide safe transport routes for aid within Gaza. According to the Coordination of Government Activities in the Territories (COGAT), the Israeli military authority responsible for overseeing aid transports, 100 trucks carrying humanitarian supplies entered Gaza on Friday. COGAT stated that UN organizations handled the distribution of these goods.
Despite these claims, the UN has indicated that in recent weeks, only a small number of aid convoys have reached the area. To adequately meet the needs of the population, an estimated 500 trucks of aid per day are necessary. The ongoing restrictions and violence highlight the urgent need for a more effective humanitarian response in Gaza.