Latest news with #AhmedHalawa
Sky News
3 days ago
- Health
- Sky News
At least 44 people killed after Israeli forces open fire near aid trucks in Gaza, witnesses say
At least 44 people have been killed after Israeli forces and drones opened fire on people waiting for aid in two separate incidents in Gaza, according to witnesses and hospital officials. In one of the incidents, witnesses told the Associated Press (AP) news agency that Israeli forces fired as people were advancing towards approaching aid trucks on a road south of Wadi Gaza in central Gaza. The Awda hospital in the Nuseirat refugee camp, which treated some of the victims, confirmed 25 deaths and said another 146 people were wounded. Among them were 62 people in a critical condition, who were transferred to other hospitals, it added. 2:46 In the central town of Deir al-Balah, the Al Aqsa Martyrs hospital said it received the bodies of six people who were killed in the same incident. "It was a massacre," witness Ahmed Halawa said. He said tanks and drones fired at people, "even as we were fleeing - many people were either martyred or wounded". Another witness, Hossam Abu Shahada, said drones were flying over the area. Then there was gunfire from tanks and drones, leaving a "chaotic and bloody" scene as people attempted to escape. He said he saw at least three people lying on the ground motionless and many others wounded as he fled. 3:59 In the other incident, in Gaza's southernmost city of Rafah, witnesses said Israeli troops started firing as thousands of Palestinians gathered at the Shakoush area, several hundred yards from another aid distribution site. At least 19 were killed and 50 others wounded, according to Nasser hospital and Gaza's Hamas-run health ministry. Witness Ayman Abu Joda said he saw heavy gunfire from Israeli tanks and helped evacuate three wounded people, including one who had been hit in the chest. "It was the same tragedy every day: We seek food and the occupation opens fire and kills many," he said. The Israeli military did not immediately comment on the reports. Gaza aid mechanism 'an abomination', says UN Food distribution sites in the region are run by the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), an American contractor operating with support from the US and Israeli governments. Philippe Lazzarini, the head of the UN's Palestinian refugee agency, described the aid delivery mechanism in Gaza as "an abomination that humiliates and degrades desperate people". He added: "It is a death trap, costing more lives than it saves." A spokesperson for the UN's Human Rights Office said: "The weaponisation of food for civilians, in addition to restricting or preventing their access to life-sustaining services, constitutes a war crime and, under certain circumstances, may constitute elements of other crimes under international law." Meanwhile, Gaza's Hamas-run health ministry said more than 56,000 Palestinians had now been killed during Israel's 21-month military operation in the territory. The ministry said more than half of the dead were women and children. It does not distinguish between civilians and militants in its count. The latest conflict in Gaza began after Hamas attacked Israel on 7 October 2023, when militants stormed across the border and killed around 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and took another 251 hostages. Many of the hostages have been released in ceasefire agreements.
Yomiuri Shimbun
3 days ago
- Health
- Yomiuri Shimbun
Gaza Health Authorities Say Israel Kills 44 Waiting for Aid as War's Death Toll Passes 56,000
DEIR AL-BALAH, Gaza Strip (AP) — Israeli forces and drones opened fire toward hundreds of Palestinians waiting for aid in separate incidents in southern and central Gaza early Tuesday, killing at least 44, witnesses and hospitals said, as health authorities announced the number of Palestinians killed in the war has risen above 56,000. Palestinian witnesses and health officials say Israeli forces have repeatedly opened fire on crowds heading toward desperately needed food, killing hundreds in recent weeks. The military says it has fired warning shots at people it said approached its forces in a suspicious manner. In central Gaza, three witnesses told The Associated Press that Israeli forces opened fire as people advanced east toward aid trucks south of Wadi Gaza. 'It was a massacre,' said Ahmed Halawa. He said tanks and drones fired at people, 'even as we were fleeing. Many people were either martyred or wounded.' Hossam Abu Shahada said drones were flying over the area, watching the crowds, then there was gunfire from tanks and drones as people were moving eastward. He described a 'chaotic and bloody' scene as people tried to escape. He said he saw at least three people lying motionless and many others wounded. Israel's military said it was reviewing the incident, which took place near the Netzarim corridor, a road that separates northern and southern Gaza. The Awda hospital in the urban Nuseirat refugee camp, which received the victims, confirmed 25 deaths and said 146 others were wounded. It said 62 were in critical condition and transferred to other hospitals. In the central town of Deir al-Balah, the Al-Aqsa Martyrs hospital said it received the bodies of six people from the same incident. In the southernmost city of Rafah, witnesses said Israeli troops opened fire as crowds tried to reach a food distribution site run by the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation. At least 19 were killed and 50 others wounded, according to Nasser hospital and Gaza's Health Ministry. The new distribution sites run by an American contractor, with U.S. and Israeli government support, have been plagued by scenes of violence and chaos since opening last month. The GHF sites are in Israeli military zones where independent media have no access. The Trump administration has authorized providing $30 million to the GHF, a U.S. official said Tuesday, speaking on condition of anonymity to discuss a sensitive diplomatic issue involving a controversial aid program. Two witnesses said Israeli troops started firing as thousands of Palestinians massed at the Shakoush area, several hundred meters (yards) from the distribution site. The Israeli military did not immediately return a request for comment. Salem Ismail was in the crowd and was shot in a leg. He said he saw forces firing towards the crowd who were moving north toward the site. Ayman Abu Joda said he saw heavy gunfire from Israeli tanks and that many people were shot. He said he helped evacuate three wounded people, one hit in the chest and two in the legs. 'It was the same tragedy every day: We seek food and the occupation opens fire and kills many,' he said. The casualty toll was confirmed to The Associated Press by Zaher al-Waheidi, head of the Health Ministry's records department. The GHF said on social media its hub there opened Tuesday at 10 a.m. and closed after finishing food distribution. It called on people not to head to the hub. Israel wants the GHF to replace a system coordinated by the United Nations and international aid groups. Along with the United States, it accuses Hamas of stealing aid, without offering evidence. The U.N. denies there is systematic diversion of aid. Death toll in Gaza over 56,000 Meanwhile, Gaza's Health Ministry said Israel's 21-month military operation in Gaza has killed 56,077 people. The war was sparked by Hamas' surprise attack on southern Israel on Oct. 7, 2023, that killed around 1,200 people dead, mostly civilians, and took 251 others hostage. Many have been released by ceasefire or other agreements. The death toll is by far the highest in any round of Israeli-Palestinian fighting. The ministry said the dead include 5,759 who have been killed since Israel resumed fighting on March 18, shattering a two-month ceasefire. The ministry doesn't distinguish between civilians and combatants but says more than half of the dead were women and children. Israel says it only targets militants and blames civilian deaths on Hamas, which operates in heavily populated areas. Israel says over 20,000 Hamas militants have been killed, though it has provided no evidence to support that claim. Hamas has not commented on its casualties.
Globe and Mail
3 days ago
- Politics
- Globe and Mail
Israeli forces fire on people waiting for aid in Gaza, killing 25, witnesses and hospitals say
Israeli forces and drones opened fire toward hundreds of people waiting for aid trucks in central Gaza early Tuesday, killing at least 25 people, Palestinian witnesses and hospitals said. Responding to an Associated Press inquiry, the military said it was reviewing reports of casualties from Israeli fire after a group of people approached troops in an area adjunct to the east-west Netzarim corridor, which bisects Gaza. The Awda hospital in the urban Nuseirat refugee camp, which received the victims, said the Palestinians were waiting for the trucks on the Salah al-Din Road south of Wadi Gaza. EU says there are 'indications' Israel is breaching human rights agreement in Gaza Witnesses told The Associated Press that Israeli forces opened fire as people were advancing eastward to be close to the approaching trucks. 'It was a massacre,' said Ahmed Halawa. He said tanks and drones fired at people, 'even as we were fleeing. Many people were either martyred or wounded.' Hossam Abu Shahada, another eyewitness, said drones were flying over the area, watching the crowds first, then there was gunfire from tanks and drones as people were moving eastward. He described a 'chaotic and bloody' scene as people were attempting to escape. He said he saw at least three people lying on the ground motionless and many others wounded as he fled the site. The Awda hospital said another 146 Palestinians were wounded. Among them were 62 in critical condition, who were transferred to other hospitals in central Gaza, it said. In the central town of Deir al-Balah, the Al-Aqsa Martyrs hospital said it received the bodies of six people who were killed in the same incident. Palestinians in Gaza take dangerous journey to get food as death toll near aid sites rises Palestinian witnesses and health officials say Israeli forces have repeatedly opened fire on crowds seeking desperately needed food, killing hundreds of people in recent weeks. The military says it has fired warning shots at people it said approached its forces in a suspicious manner. The deaths were the latest in Israel-Hamas war in Gaza which killed about 56,000 Palestinians, according to the strip's health ministry. The ministry doesn't distinguish between civilians and combatants but say more than a half of the dead were women and children. Israel launched its campaign in Gaza after Hamas' Oct. 7, 2023, attack on southern Israel, in which militants killed around 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and took another 251 hostages. Most of the hostages were released by ceasefire agreements.
Boston Globe
3 days ago
- Politics
- Boston Globe
Gaza health authorities say Israel kills 44 waiting for aid as war's death toll passes 56,000
Advertisement In central Gaza, three witnesses told The Associated Press that Israeli forces opened fire as people advanced east toward aid trucks south of Wadi Gaza. 'It was a massacre,' said Ahmed Halawa. He said tanks and drones fired at people, 'even as we were fleeing. Many people were either martyred or wounded.' Hossam Abu Shahada said drones were flying over the area, watching the crowds, then there was gunfire from tanks and drones as people were moving eastward. He described a 'chaotic and bloody' scene as people tried to escape. He said he saw at least three people lying motionless and many others wounded. Mourners prayed over the body of a person killed a day earlier while attempting to get aid at a distribution point near the Israeli-controlled Zikim border crossing, at Al-Shifa hospital in Gaza City on Tuesday. OMAR AL-QATTAA/AFP via Getty Images Israel's military said it was reviewing the incident, which took place near the Netzarim corridor, a road that separates northern and southern Gaza. The Awda hospital in the urban Nuseirat refugee camp, which received the victims, confirmed 25 deaths and said 146 others were wounded. It said 62 were in critical condition and transferred to other hospitals. Advertisement In the central town of Deir al-Balah, the Al-Aqsa Martyrs hospital said it received the bodies of six people from the same incident. In the southernmost city of Rafah, witnesses said Israeli troops opened fire as crowds tried to reach another food distribution site run by the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation. At least 19 were killed and 50 others wounded, according to Nasser hospital and Gaza's Health Ministry. Two witnesses said Israeli troops started firing as thousands of Palestinians massed at the Shakoush area, several hundred meters (yards) from the distribution site. The Israeli military did not immediately return a request for comment. Salem Ismail was in the crowd and was shot in a leg. He said he saw forces firing towards the crowd who were moving north toward the site. Ayman Abu Joda said he saw heavy gunfire from Israeli tanks and that many people were shot. He said he helped evacuate three wounded people, one hit in the chest and two in the legs. 'It was the same tragedy every day: We seek food and the occupation opens fire and kills many,' he said. The casualty toll was confirmed to The Associated Press by Zaher al-Waheidi, head of the Health Ministry's records department. The GHF said on social media its hub there opened Tuesday at 10 a.m. and closed after finishing food distribution. It called on people not to head to the hub. Displaced Palestinians stay at a tent camp in Gaza City, pictured on Monday. Jehad Alshrafi/Associated Press Israel wants the GHF to replace a system coordinated by the United Nations and international aid groups. Along with the United States, it accuses Hamas of stealing aid, without offering evidence. The U.N. denies there is systematic diversion of aid. Advertisement The GHF sites are in Israeli military zones where independent media have no access. Death toll in Gaza over 56,000 Meanwhile, Gaza's Health Ministry said Israel's 21-month military operation in Gaza has killed 56,077 people. The war was sparked by Hamas' surprise attack on southern Israel on Oct. 7, 2023, that killed around 1,200 people dead, mostly civilians, and took 251 others hostage. Many have been released by ceasefire or other agreements. The death toll is by far the highest in any round of Israeli-Palestinian fighting. The ministry said the dead include 5,759 who have been killed since Israel resumed fighting on March 18, shattering a two-month ceasefire. The ministry doesn't distinguish between civilians and combatants but says more than half of the dead were women and children. Israel says it only targets militants and blames civilian deaths on Hamas, which operates in heavily populated areas. Israel says over 20,000 Hamas militants have been killed, though it has provided no evidence to support that claim. Hamas has not commented on its casualties.
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Health
- Yahoo
Israel kills more than 80 people in Gaza, including dozens of aid seekers
Israeli forces and drones have killed more than 80 Palestinians since dawn, including at least 51 near aid distribution centres, in the latest attacks on desperate people seeking aid in the besieged Gaza Strip, according to medical sources in hospitals. In Rafah alone, in the south of the enclave, 27 aid seekers were gunned down by the Israeli military on Tuesday. The overall death toll from Israel's war has risen to 56,077 killed and 131,848 injuries since October 7, 2023. The killings are the latest in a wave of daily carnage near aid distribution points established late last month by the controversial Israeli and United States-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), which the head of the United Nations agency for Palestinian refugees (UNWRA) has labelled a 'death trap'. Medical sources reported that at least 25 people were killed in an incident on Salah al-Din Street south of Wadi Gaza in central Gaza, according to The Associated Press news agency. More than 140 other people were injured, 62 of them critically. Footage posted on social media site Instagram, and verified by Al Jazeera's Sanad agency, showed bodies being brought to al-Awda Hospital in the nearby Nuseirat refugee camp. Similar scenes were reported from the Nasser Medical Complex to the south in Khan Younis, following unverified reports that the Israeli army had targeted people waiting for aid on al-Tina Street. People approaching an aid point in Gaza City were also killed, Al Jazeera's Hani Mahmoud reported from the city in the north of the territory, as well as Rafah in the south. 'Casualties were brought to various health facilities, including al-Shifa Hospital [in Gaza City],' he said. 'The emergency ward there turned into a bloodbath, and many died waiting for medical care.' Witnesses told the AP that Israeli forces had opened fire as people were approaching the aid trucks. 'It was a massacre,' said Ahmed Halawa, reporting that tanks and drones had fired 'even as we were fleeing'. The Israeli military said it was reviewing reports of casualties from fire by its troops after a group of people approached soldiers in an area near the militarised Netzarim Corridor. Israel has said that previous shootings near GHF aid sites have been provoked by the approach of 'suspects' towards soldiers. Witnesses and humanitarian groups have said that many of the shootings took place without killing of aid seekers has become an almost daily occurrence since the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF) took over the distribution of food and other vital supplies. The foundation launched its aid distribution programme in late May after Israel had completely cut off supplies into Gaza for more than two months, prompting warnings of mass famine. The United Nations has refused to work with the GHF, citing concerns that it prioritises Israeli military objectives over humanitarian needs, and condemned it for its 'weaponisation' of aid. The GHF distribution sites have been plagued by scenes of chaos and carnage. More than 400 people have been killed and 1,000 wounded by Israeli soldiers since the GHF aid rollout began. The head of the UN agency for Palestinian refugees, Philippe Lazzarini, said on Tuesday that the system for aid distribution in Gaza was 'an abomination'. 'The newly created so-called aid mechanism is an abomination that humiliates and degrades desperate people,' said at a news conference in Berlin. 'It is a death trap costing more lives than it saves.' In a letter published on Monday, the International Commission of Jurists — a human rights NGO of prominent lawyers and judges — joined 14 other groups in condemning the GHF and calling for 'an end to private militarized humanitarian aid operations in Gaza'. Philip Grant, executive director of Geneva-based NGO TRIAL International, said GHF's model of militarised and privatised aid delivery 'violates core humanitarian principles'. He added that those who enabled or profited from the GHF's work faced a 'real risk of prosecution for complicity in war crimes, including the forcible transfer of civilians and the starvation of civilians as a method of warfare'.
