In a devastating series of events, reports confirm that at least 15 Palestinians lost their lives due to Israeli tank shelling and gunfire near an aid distribution centre in Rafah, southern Gaza. Local medical sources and eyewitness accounts describe a chaotic scene where thousands gathered at a US-funded humanitarian facility just prior to the Israeli military’s onslaught.
According to Mohammed Ghareeb, a local journalist, the attack occurred in the early morning hours as residents assembled near the Al-Alam roundabout. Eyewitnesses shared distressing images of the injured being transported on donkey carts due to rescue services being blocked by the military presence in the area.
A doctor at the Red Cross field hospital reported receiving 15 fatalities and around 50 injured individuals, while other estimates from civil defense indicated over 100 injuries. This tragic incident highlights the increasingly dire humanitarian situation in Rafah, exacerbated by recent military actions that restrict access to crucial aid and medical support.
The urgency for assistance has grown, with crowd scenes erupting around aid trucks amidst escalating hunger and despair among civilians. New initiatives, like the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, aim to distribute food throughout the region under challenging conditions, though their efficacy remains unverified.
This incident unfolds against the backdrop of ongoing efforts by the United States to negotiate a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, which faces significant challenges as both parties hold firm on their demands.
Source: www.bbc.com
