Crowds Flock for Aid, 47 Injured by Israeli Military Gunfire

Residents Flock to GHF Distribution Center, Forcing Temporary Suspension
Casualty Figures Differ Depending on Source

Dozens of Gaza Strip residents were killed or injured by Israeli gunfire at a distribution center of the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), which is led by Israel and the United States. On May 28, Yonhap News, citing a report from the Arab broadcaster Al Jazeera, reported that the previous day, Palestinian residents flocked to the GHF distribution center, which had opened for the first time in the Tel al-Sultan area of Rafah in southern Gaza. As chaos erupted, with residents breaking down barbed wire and looting relief supplies, the Israeli military fired warning shots in an attempt to control the situation.

Dozens of Gaza Strip residents were killed or injured by Israeli gunfire at a distribution center of the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), led by Israel and the United States. Photo by AFP and Yonhap News.

Regarding the warning shots, Al Jazeera, quoting authorities in the Gaza Strip governed by the Palestinian militant group Hamas, reported that at least three people were killed, 46 were injured, and seven were missing at the scene. Al Jazeera also reported that another shooting occurred at the distribution center when it resumed operations on the same day, resulting in the deaths of six more Palestinian residents. The outlet claimed that a total of nine people were killed at the distribution center over two days. However, the number of casualties varies depending on the source.

The Associated Press, citing the Gaza Strip Ministry of Health, reported that one person was killed and 48 were injured the previous day. According to AFP, Ajith Sunghay, head of the United Nations Human Rights Office for Palestine, said, "According to the information we have received, about 47 people were injured in the incident on the 27th," adding that "most of the injuries were caused by gunfire." He also stated that the number of casualties could rise and that "the circumstances are still being investigated."

Israel has not yet stated its position on this matter. Regarding the shooting the previous day, it stated that it was only a warning and that it did not fire at the distribution centers. GHF announced that around noon on the same day, it resumed operations at two distribution centers and has distributed approximately 14,550 boxes of relief food (842,620 meals) to date. AFP·Yonhap News

Israel has not yet stated its position on this matter. Regarding the shooting the previous day, it stated that it was only for warning purposes and that it did not fire at the distribution centers. GHF announced that around noon on the same day, it resumed operations at two distribution centers and has distributed approximately 14,550 boxes of relief food (842,620 meals) to date. However, GHF was unable to handle the influx of Palestinian residents that day as well, and temporarily suspended distribution in the afternoon. The American private security company operating the distribution centers, as on the previous day, had to step back and watch as residents took the relief supplies. Meanwhile, GHF plans to open the distribution centers again on May 29 from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.