The situation in Rafah, Gaza, has taken a tragic turn as humanitarian aid efforts have become dangerously chaotic. On Sunday morning, Israeli gunfire reportedly targeted civilians near an American aid center, leaving 31 people dead and 176 injured, according to local authorities. This incident has raised serious concerns about the treatment of civilians in conflict zones.
Volker Türk, the UN human rights chief, expressed his outrage over the current state of humanitarian aid delivery. He described it as "unacceptable" and "dehumanizing," highlighting the desperation of people who have been without food and medicine for nearly three months. Türk emphasized the utter disregard for civilian lives in these circumstances, as many are forced to risk their safety just to access basic necessities.
The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) reported a surge of patients at the Red Cross Field Hospital in Rafah, where 179 individuals, including women and children, were treated for injuries. Most of these patients suffered from gunshot or shrapnel wounds, and tragically, 21 were declared dead upon arrival. Many of the injured stated they were trying to reach an aid distribution site when they were caught in the crossfire.
Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) also reported treating severely injured individuals at a hospital in Khan Younis. Some patients were in critical condition, and accounts from the injured indicated that they were shot at from multiple directions, including by Israeli drones and tanks. One staff member even shared that their brother was killed while attempting to collect aid.
Local journalist Mohammed Ghareeb described the scene in Rafah, noting that civilians gathered near the aid center when Israeli tanks approached and opened fire. He reported that the dead and wounded were left on the ground for an extended period as rescue teams could not reach them due to the area being under Israeli control. Residents had to resort to using donkey carts to transport victims to the hospital.
In response to the incident, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) stated that their troops did not fire at civilians near the aid distribution site, calling reports of such actions false. They accused Hamas of spreading rumors to obstruct aid efforts. The IDF also released drone footage that they claimed showed armed individuals firing at civilians, although the authenticity of this footage has not been verified.
Later in the day, an Israeli military official explained that warning shots were fired to prevent suspects from approaching their forces. They insisted that there was no connection between these actions and the allegations against the IDF.
The Global Health Fund (GHF), which operates the aid center, denied any reports of violence occurring during their operations, labeling the claims as fabrications. They stated that there were no injuries or fatalities at their facility.
Amidst the turmoil, the U.S. ambassador to Israel criticized major news outlets for what he called reckless reporting. He asserted that evidence from drone footage and eyewitness accounts contradicted claims of chaos and violence.
The situation remains tense, with humanitarian needs escalating and the conflict showing no signs of abating. As civilians continue to suffer, the international community watches closely, hoping for a resolution that prioritizes human life and dignity.