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Reports from southern Gaza have revealed harrowing scenes as Israeli troops opened fire on Palestinians converging at a newly established aid distribution site early Tuesday. Witnesses and international medical teams have described the incident as "total carnage" with several civilians killed.

An official statement from the Israeli military presents a different narrative, claiming that "several suspects" deviated from the designated routes towards the troops, prompting "warning fire" and subsequent shots aimed near a few individuals.

Criticism of the controversial new system for distributing aid in Gaza is expected to intensify, following the shooting of civilians seeking food aid. The new aid hubs, managed by the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), were created by Israel with U.S. support to replace operations previously run by United Nations agencies and other international aid organizations. The GHF employs armed security personnel from an American company at these hubs, which are located in areas of southern Gaza under Israeli military control.

This new system was implemented after Israel imposed a total ban on shipments of food and other aid into Gaza, which left the population at risk of famine, according to a UN-associated agency monitoring food emergencies. Israel has accused UN staff of allowing Hamas to steal the majority of the incoming aid, although the UN denies these allegations and insists it accounts for all distributed aid. The UN has refused to collaborate with the GHF.

The GHF’s system has faced significant criticism, confirming the worst fears of aid professionals. Jake Wood, the head of GHF, resigned just over a week ago, citing the organization’s inability to uphold "humanity, neutrality, impartiality, and independence."

Historically, the UN had a comprehensive network of aid distribution points, which supplied communal kitchens and bakeries feeding hundreds of thousands. The GHF’s approach, however, forces people to travel through a war-torn area to collect rations, often leading to chaotic and inequitable distribution where the strongest individuals dominate and the weakest receive nothing.

Palestinians have reportedly been walking throughout the night to get closer to the limited food supplies. The large gatherings of desperate individuals have proven difficult to manage, culminating in Tuesday’s deadly incident. UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Türk, criticized the GHF plan in light of the recent killings, stating it shows "utter disregard for civilians."

Furthermore, Western diplomats, including officials from the UK, France, and Canada, have expressed growing dismay over the killings and the general conduct of Israel in Gaza. These countries have demanded significant changes, including the allowance of necessary humanitarian aid, and have threatened sanctions and possibly recognizing a Palestinian state if Israel does not cease its latest offensives.

In a stark reminder of the ongoing humanitarian crisis, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres expressed being "appalled" by reports of civilians being killed and injured while seeking aid in Gaza. The international community continues to watch in horror as the struggle for survival in Gaza intensifies amid deadly turmoil.