Israeli Military Investigates Possible War Crimes Near Gaza Aid Sites

The Israeli military is investigating possible war crimes after evidence emerged of deliberate firing at Palestinian civilians gathering for aid in Gaza. People have been killed in recent weeks during air attacks, shootings, and bombardments by the Israel Defense Forces near food distribution sites. Soldiers were reportedly instructed to fire at crowds near these sites to keep them away from military positions, raising concerns about unnecessary lethal force against non-threatening individuals.

The army unit tasked with reviewing potential breaches of international law is examining soldiers' actions near distribution locations over the past month. The IDF denied ordering deliberate attacks on civilians, stating that directives prohibit such actions. Food scarcity in Gaza has worsened due to a blockade, with the UN facing obstacles in delivering aid amid military restrictions and anarchy.

Recent incidents include 18 people killed in an Israeli strike targeting Palestinian police distributing flour in Deir al-Balah. The strike hit members of a security force confiscating stolen aid, resulting in casualties among civilians receiving aid. Witnesses described a catastrophic scene with severe injuries and deaths, highlighting the dire humanitarian crisis in Gaza.

Israel has accused Hamas of diverting aid supplies, leading to the involvement of the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation in food distribution. Accessing aid sites is challenging for Palestinians due to military zones and shootings by Israeli troops. Medical records confirm numerous lethal injuries from shootings and shelling, raising concerns about the safety of aid operations in Gaza.

UN Secretary-General António Guterres criticized the aid operation as inherently unsafe, emphasizing that people are being killed while seeking food. The conflict, triggered by a Hamas attack on southern Israel, has resulted in a high death toll, with civilians bearing the brunt of the casualties.

According to the source: The Guardian.