Another bloody incident has occurred in the Gaza Strip in Palestine. Starving residents gathered at distribution centers and checkpoints to receive relief food and were tragically shot by Israeli forces.
According to reports from the Associated Press and other foreign news outlets on the 2nd (local time), at least 10 people died when Israeli forces opened fire near a distribution center operated by the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF). Eight people lost their lives near the distribution center close to the Netzarim Corridor in northern Gaza, while two were killed in the Shakush area of Rafah in the south. On the same day, gunfire broke out among residents waiting for food at a nearby security checkpoint, resulting in at least 19 deaths.
The shooting occurred shortly after Steve Witkoff, a special envoy to the Middle East from U.S. President Donald Trump, visited the GHF distribution center in Rafah the day before. Witkoff had returned after inspecting the site with a delegation from the United States.
The Israeli forces denied the shooting. The GHF also claimed, "There were no physical clashes around the distribution center, and only blank shots and tear gas spray were used to prevent crowding."
However, local medical staff and witnesses reported otherwise. They stated that residents were unarmed and were shot indiscriminately while waiting in line to receive relief supplies.
In March, Israel completely blocked the entry of supplies, claiming that Hamas had intercepted humanitarian aid, but since May, it has allowed limited distribution of relief supplies through GHF, which it established jointly with the United States. However, food supply remains insufficient, and clashes and gunfire at distribution centers continue unabated.
According to the United Nations, from May 27 to July 31, a total of 859 people died around GHF distribution centers, and hundreds of others died along UN-led food transport routes. On the same day, seven people, including children, died of malnutrition.
Experts noted that "the worst famine scenario is materializing in the Gaza Strip" and urged for an urgent response. Nevertheless, under pressure from the international community, Israel has recently attempted to supply aid by air drop, but, according to the Associated Press, it is rare for food to actually reach the residents.
The ceasefire negotiations for the Gaza Strip have stalled since the U.S. and Israeli negotiating teams withdrew on the 24th of last month. Hamas stated that it is willing to continue negotiations on the premise of "a permanent ceasefire and complete withdrawal of Israeli forces," but is insisting on improving the humanitarian situation in Gaza as a condition.
In contrast, the U.S. and Israel are insisting that the disarmament of Hamas be a precondition for negotiations. According to CNN, Hamas also stated, "Disarmament without the establishment of a fully sovereign state is unacceptable."
Meanwhile, CNN reported that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is considering strategies such as besieging or fully occupying urban areas of the Gaza Strip in preparation for Hamas's refusal to negotiate, and has postponed military action decisions to next week. A senior Israeli official told CNN, "Due to Hamas's non-cooperation, the U.S. and Israel are forming a new consensus regarding Gaza."