Resumption of Food Aid
After a planned pause, the U.S.-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF) today restarted food distribution at two aid centers in Rafah. This move came a day after they halted deliveries citing security risks.
Details of the Shooting Casualties
• Unarmed civilians targeted: Israeli forces opened fire on people who had come to collect aid.
• Official tallies: Local hospitals and authorities report at least five killed and more than seventy injured.
• Military’s justification: The army claims warning shots were fired after some individuals “ignored warnings and tried to enter a restricted military zone,” which they say led to the fatalities—an account disputed by eyewitnesses.
Fuel Crisis in Hospitals and the Humanitarian Situation
Gaza’s Health Ministry director has warned that if fuel for generators does not arrive within forty-eight hours, hospitals will effectively become “graveyards.” Power outages have severely disrupted emergency services, putting patients at grave risk. Meanwhile, northern Gaza is grappling with acute water shortages and growing shortages of medicines and medical supplies.
Broader Context of the Conflict
• Recent casualty figures: Since May 27, over one hundred people have been killed or wounded by gunfire around aid centers in Rafah alone.
• Cumulative toll: According to official statistics, the military campaign launched in October 2023 has so far claimed approximately 54,880 lives and injured around 126,227 people in Gaza.
International Reactions
• UN criticism: UN special rapporteur Francesca Albanese described the GHF operation as a “humanitarian façade,” calling it a clear symbol of moral and political corruption.
• Israeli stance: Defense Minister Israel Katz has announced that the aid vessel “Madleen” attempting to approach Gaza’s coast will not be granted entry, labelling some activists “hostile-minded.”