GAZA- More than 700 Palestinians have been killed while trying to get food during the last few weeks in the Gaza Strip, Palestinian Health Ministry revealed.
The Health Ministry stated that over 743 Palestinians were killed and 4,891 were injured while getting aid from the distribution sites of the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF).
Different reports confirmed that the contractors of GHF, which started operating in the Gaza Strip at the end of May, and Israeli forces have deliberately targeted aid seekers.
A few days ago, a report by the Associated Press (AP) quoted American contractors as confirming that live ammunition and stun grenades have been fired at Palestinian civilians seeking aid at GHF distribution points.
Speaking to the AP, two unnamed US contractors said that heavily-armed staff members appeared to be doing whatever they wanted.
The GHF has denied the news agency’s reporting as “absolutely wrong”, claiming that it takes the safety and security of its sites extremely seriously.
The US administration also defended the GHF, informing reporters on Wednesday that the group is “one entity that has gotten food and aid into the Gaza Strip”.
Towards the end of June, the Trump administration granted $30m in direct funding for the organization.
The GHF stated that two of its contractors were injured while they were distributing aid at one of its sites in Khan Younis, southern Gaza, when grenades were thrown at them.
“The injured Americans are receiving medical treatment and are in stable condition,” the group said.
No party claimed responsibly for the attack.
Call for Action
Leading humanitarian and human rights groups have called for the immediate closure of the GHF’s distribution sites, accusing it of “forcing two million people into overcrowded, militarized zones where they face daily gunfire and mass casualties”.
Amnesty International has described the GHF’s operations as brutal and deadly, militarized schemes.
“All the evidence gathered, including testimonies which Amnesty International is receiving from victims and witnesses, suggest that the GHF was designed so as to placate international concerns while constituting another tool of Israel’s genocide,” Amnesty said.
Many Palestinians in Gaza are still witnessing food and dire shortages of water and other indispensable humanitarian supplies, finding themselves forced to seek assistance from the group, despite the risks.
