Gaza City – Gaza’s Civil Defense agency reported Saturday that at least 36 Palestinians were killed by Israeli forces, with six fatalities occurring in a shooting incident near a US-backed aid distribution center. The agency’s statement marks a significant escalation in reported casualties around humanitarian operations in the besieged territory.
The Israeli military, in a statement to AFP, acknowledged that its troops had fired “warning shots” at individuals described as “advancing in a way that endangered the troops.” This explanation comes as international scrutiny intensifies over the rules of engagement in densely populated areas.
The shooting deaths represent the latest in a series of reported incidents near the aid center operated by the Gaza Humanitarian Fund (GHF) in the southern district of Rafah. Distributions had recently resumed following a brief suspension prompted by similar fatalities earlier in the week. The recurring violence raises concerns about the safety of aid workers and recipients in the war-torn region.
In a related development, an aid boat carrying 12 activists, including prominent Swedish climate campaigner Greta Thunberg, is reportedly nearing the coast of Gaza. The activists’ mission aims to draw global attention to the dire humanitarian situation and the ongoing Israeli blockade, which has only been partially alleviated. The arrival of the flotilla is expected to heighten international pressure on all parties involved in the conflict.
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