27 Palestinians Killed During Israeli Attack Near Aid Center
ICARO Media Group
**Israel-Gaza Conflict: 27 Palestinians Dead After Israeli Troops Open Fire Near Aid Site**
In the early hours of Tuesday morning, Israeli soldiers opened fire near Palestinian civilians who were heading towards a newly established food distribution center in southern Gaza. According to the Gaza health ministry, the altercation resulted in at least 27 fatalities and numerous injuries.
The Israeli military explained that its troops began shooting after some individuals deviated from the designated path towards the food distribution site and allegedly ignored warning shots. These individuals were labeled as "suspects," purportedly posing a threat to the soldiers, though the specific nature of this threat was not clarified in the military's statement. The military acknowledged reports of casualties and announced that an investigation into the incident is underway.
This deadly incident follows a similar confrontation that occurred on Sunday near the same food distribution center. According to Palestinian officials, that event resulted in the deaths of at least 23 individuals. Recent weeks have seen multiple episodes of unrest linked to the controversial new aid distribution framework.
The implementation of the new aid system is a matter of significant concern. Gaza is grappling with severe starvation issues, exacerbated by an 80-day Israeli blockade on food imports between March and May. The new food aid program, managed by the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, a relatively untested private aid organization, has replaced the previously UN-administered system. The foundation hires American contractors to distribute food at several sites, most of which are located within Israeli-occupied regions of southern Gaza. This stands in contrast to the former UN-managed system, which operated approximately 400 distribution points across Gaza.
The situation remains highly volatile and the international community continues to watch closely as developments unfold in the region.