Gaza Aid Site Killings What's REALLY Happening?

Article Heading: Unraveling the Deadly Incidents Near the US-Israeli Backed Gaza Aid Site

In recent days, a series of tragic events have unfolded near a Gaza aid distribution site, raising serious questions and sparking international concern. The site, backed by the US and Israel, has become the focal point of deadly incidents, leaving many dead and injured. Let's delve into what we know so far about these disturbing events.

Context: The Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF) and the New Aid System

The incidents occurred on roads leading to a new aid distribution site in southwestern Gaza, an area under full Israeli military control. This facility is operated by the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF). This new aid system, designed to bypass the UN, has been met with widespread condemnation from humanitarian groups, who argue that it's unworkable and unethical. Israel has accused the UN of failing to prevent Hamas from diverting aid, a claim the UN disputes.

Timeline of Tragedy: Three Days of Deadly Incidents

• Sunday Morning: According to the Hamas-run Civil Defence agency, 31 Palestinians were killed by Israeli fire.
• Monday Morning: The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) reported that three more people were killed by gunfire.
• Tuesday Morning: Health officials stated that 27 individuals were killed by Israeli fire near the aid site.

Israel has refuted these reports, calling them "false," and claims its troops only fired warning shots or opened fire after identifying "several suspects."

Where Did These Incidents Take Place?

All reported incidents occurred near Safe Distribution Site 1 (SDS 1), located in the Tal al-Sultan area of southwestern Gaza. This site, operated by the GHF, opened on May 26th and is part of a network of four facilities, three of which are in southern Gaza. However, only SDS 1 has been operational since its opening, facing numerous challenges from the start.

Challenges and Criticisms of the New Aid System

The GHF has been directing civilians to approach SDS 1 via al-Rashid Street, a coastal road. Chris Newton, a senior analyst at Crisis Group, argues that this route is neither "safe nor effective." He criticized the new system, stating that directing civilians down a single route is a far cry from the UN-based system, which utilized 400 distribution points across Gaza, and suggesting that "This all looks designed to fail."

Unpacking Sunday's Incident: Conflicting Accounts and Limited Evidence

The Hamas-run Gaza health ministry reported that approximately 31 people were killed by gunfire on Sunday. The GHF initially announced that SDS 1 would open at 05:00 local time, but quickly retracted the announcement, stating that the site was closed. By then, many Gazans had already gathered at the Al-Alam roundabout, awaiting access.

Limited Video Evidence and Conflicting Information:

• Footage purportedly from Sunday shows people lying on the ground, with the sound of explosions.
• An audio recording captured apparent explosions and gunfire for over five minutes, approximately 3km away from the site.
• Another video showed bodies lying on a beach, potentially 1km from SDS 1, based on distant lights.

While BBC Verify has examined available footage, definitively geolocating it remains challenging. Images of bullets recovered from victims indicate that both 5.56mm and 7.62mm rounds were used. However, the origin of these rounds remains unclear, as both the IDF and Palestinian armed groups have access to weapons that fire these types of ammunition.

The IDF denies firing at civilians "near or within" the site, claiming reports to this effect are false. However, an Israeli military source later stated that warning shots were fired approximately 1km away "to prevent suspects from approaching the troops."

The GHF maintains that there were "no injuries, fatalities or incidents during our operations yesterday. Period," stating that they have yet to see evidence of any attack at or near their facility.

What About the Later Incidents?

Details surrounding the incidents on Monday and Tuesday remain sparse. Investigations are ongoing to determine the exact circumstances and responsibilities for these tragic events. The conflicting accounts and limited verified information highlight the complexities of reporting from conflict zones. International bodies and news organizations are working to gather more data and provide a clearer picture of what transpired.

Conclusion: A Call for Transparency and Accountability

The events near the Gaza aid site are deeply concerning and demand a thorough, transparent investigation. The loss of life and the circumstances surrounding these incidents underscore the urgent need for safer and more effective aid delivery mechanisms. It is crucial to ensure that humanitarian assistance reaches those in need without further endangering their lives. As the investigations unfold, accountability must be paramount to prevent such tragedies from recurring in the future. The world is watching, and the demand for truth and justice is unwavering.

Tags: Gaza aid, Gaza killings, Israeli fire, Gaza humanitarian, US Israel, Palestine, Conflict, Red Cross, Hamas, Civil Defence

Source: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c8xg7rv9g4yo