### Tragic Incident in Gaza as 27 Palestinians Killed Near Food Distribution Site

TEL AVIV, Israel – An incident on Tuesday resulted in the deaths of at least 27 Palestinians and left dozens more injured in southern Gaza, local health officials and the International Committee of the Red Cross reported. The event unfolded near a food distribution center operated by the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), an organization funded by the U.S. Witnesses have accused Israeli forces of opening fire on the civilians gathered there.

The Israeli military admitted to firing warning shots, claiming it was an attempt to disperse what they described as a threatening crowd approaching their troops. According to their statement, the forces engaged in "warning fire," and when the crowd did not retreat, additional shots were fired at individuals perceived as advancing toward the troops. The military has stated that they are investigating the incident and are aware of reports suggesting civilian casualties.

This tragic episode is emblematic of the ongoing chaos surrounding humanitarian aid deliveries in Gaza. The United Nations has described aid distribution efforts in the region as a "death trap," warning that Gaza teeters on the brink of famine. Over the past weekend, another violent incident occurred in which at least 31 Palestinians were killed and more than 200 were injured by Israeli fire while heading towards food distribution sites, according to Gaza health authorities. The Israeli military reiterated that troops fired warning shots toward individuals roughly a thousand yards from these sites.

Ahmed Abuhamda, a producer for NPR, interviewed a man named Barakat, who preferred not to disclose his full name due to fears of retaliation from Israel. Barakat recounted leaving his home at 3:30 a.m. to secure a place in line at the food distribution site. He described how Israeli naval forces began firing, causing him to crawl for safety. He witnessed a woman being fatally shot when she raised her head during the fray.

"It's inhumane, unsafe, and unfair," Barakat said, lamenting that he had returned home without securing any food for his family.

An Israeli military official, speaking on condition of anonymity, confirmed that warning shots were fired at suspects approximately a thousand yards from the food distribution site to deter them from approaching troops. Despite international efforts, particularly those supported by the U.S., procuring food in Gaza remains fraught with peril.