IDF securing GHF sites critical for stifling Hamas control of population in Gaza
TheIDF's operations in southern Gaza to secure the food distribution sites run by the American-run Gaza Humanitarian Foundation are to break the grip of Hamas on the local population, and to provide Palestinians with an opportunity to eat from another hand that isn't the terrorist group, the IDF said on Monday.
This comes amid fierce allegations and footage of live bullets shot at Palestinians at theGHF sites, which the United Nations has called a humanitarian catastrophe, where hundreds have reportedly been killed.
Haaretz on Sunday quoted unnamed IDF soldiers who said they were told to fire at crowds to keep them back. The IDF said it does not intentionally shoot at civilians; rather, it is only focused on maintaining order in a chaotic situation, while a GHF spokesperson said there have been no deaths at or near any of the GHF aid distribution sites.
The IDF did note one case where bullets were shot into a crowd, and 30 people were injured, but the military maintained that it knows which bullets are its own, it investigates each case, and that the numbers coming out of Gaza are littered with Hamas's influence, are unreliable, and get bolstered by international organizations, which have representatives on the ground.
Reports have swarmed regarding the fate of the food once it enters the enclave. Israel and the United States have accused Hamas of stealing aid from the UN-led operations, and there have been reports of armed clans getting there first; the military said that from what it has seen, these gangs get to the food before Hamas can.
The IDF said that Hamas has killed some in the groups coming to get food, shot at others, and threw them down the stairs of Nasser Hospital inKhan Yunis, with instructions to withhold care from them.
One of the issues facing the Israeli forces on the ground is that there is no comprehensive way to vet the people showing up, and the chaos can induce fear among the soldiers. The IDF tries to maintain order by giving instructions about when and when not to arrive at the sites, but the chaos reigns, and the work is not done.
Should a ceasefire be signed in the next few weeks, the IDF would be prepared to continue humanitarian aid.
As part of this operational effort, the IDF has recently taken several measures to reorganize access routes and improve the functionality of aid distribution centers. These actions include erecting fences, installing directional and warning signs, and opening additional access routes. The IDF has also set up barriers and checkpoints to regulate vehicle movement and modified the layout of the centers to allow for external observation of remaining aid packages at the end of each day.
These adjustments are designed to ensure the smooth passage of Gazan civilians, facilitate the orderly distribution of aid, and maintain the continuity of the IDF's security operations in the area. The IDF reaffirmed its commitment to supporting the humanitarian effort while ensuring the safety and security of all those involved.
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