Medics say 38 Palestinians killed in new shootings near food distribution centres

Deir al-Balah (Gaza Strip): Gaza’s Health Ministry on Monday said that at least 38 Palestinians were killed in new shootings in areas of Israeli- and US-supported food distribution centres in the southern Gaza Strip.

The majority of those deceased were trying to reach the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF) centre near the southern city of Rafah, Gaza’s Health Ministry said. However, a few were on the roads to a newly opened hub on the outskirts of Khan Younis when the shootings took place, the ministry said in a statement.

Israel’s response: The Israeli military did not comment immediately on Monday’s deaths. However, in the past, it has been said that troops fired warning shots at what they called suspects approaching their positions. Experts have warned that Israel’s ongoing military campaign and restrictions on the entry of aid have put Gaza at risk of famine.

Two Palestinians, Heba Jouda and Mohammed Abed, were trying to collect food items at the Rafah site when Israeli forces fired on the crowds at around 4 am at the Flag Roundabout, the duo told AP.

Palestinian health officials say scores of people have been killed and hundreds wounded since the sites opened last month. Israel and the United States say the new GHF system is needed to prevent Hamas from siphoning off aid. GHF says there has been no violence in or around the sites themselves.