Israeli forces killed at least 60 Palestinians in Gaza on Wednesday, most whilst seeking food from a US-Israeli distribution scheme, according to local health authorities.
Medical officials said at least 25 people were killed and dozens wounded as they approached a food distribution centre run by the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF) near Netzarim in central Gaza.
Later, at least 14 people were killed by Israeli gunfire whilst moving towards another GHF distribution site in Rafah at Gaza’s southern border. On Tuesday, Israeli troops killed 17 Palestinians around GHF sites.
Death toll surpasses 55,000
Gaza health authorities said the Palestinian death toll over 20 months of conflict had passed 55,000. The health ministry, whilst part of the Hamas government, is staffed by medical professionals and its statistics are regarded as reliable by the UN and other global organisations.
A New York-based legal group, the Center for Constitutional Rights, warned GHF of “potential legal liability for complicity in Israel’s war crimes, crimes against humanity, and genocide against Palestinians”.
“As Palestinians now face mass starvation, Israel has teamed up with GHF to make accessing food not only dangerous and potentially deadly but also a tool of forced displacement,” said senior staff attorney Katherine Gallagher.
International scrutiny
The Israeli government and armed forces face scrutiny by the International Court of Justice on genocide allegations, partly due to alleged use of food as a weapon against the occupied territory’s 2.2 million people.
Humanitarian experts had warned that GHF’s scheme of distributing food from heavily militarised sites would prove highly dangerous, forcing people to cross combat zones.
The organisation’s first executive director, Jake Wood, resigned last month, saying its plan ran counter to “humanitarian principles”. Boston Consulting Group, which helped establish GHF, severed ties with the organisation last week.
Johnnie Moore, an evangelical leader and religious adviser to Donald Trump with minimal humanitarian experience, was appointed new GHF chairman.
IDF response
The Israel Defense Forces said troops fired “warning shots” overnight towards a group it claimed posed a threat. “This is despite warnings that the area is an active combat zone. The IDF is aware of reports regarding individuals injured; the details are under review,” it stated.
GHF told Reuters it was unaware of Wednesday’s incidents but worked closely with Israeli authorities to maintain safe passage routes, emphasising Palestinians must follow instructions closely.
“Ultimately, the solution is more aid, which will create more certainty and less urgency among the population,” GHF said. “There is not yet enough food to feed everyone in need in Gaza.”
Moore claimed via social media that GHF provided 2.5 million meals on Wednesday, bringing the total to 16 million meals distributed since operations began on 27 May.
