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First Post
3 hours ago
- Politics
- First Post
US-backed GHF chief denies evidence of deaths near aid centres, defends Gaza operation
Hundreds of Palestinians, including children, have died in the past weeks as they gathered at aid distribution centres to collect food after months of blockade imposed by Israel that cut off the region from aid. Most of these deaths were reported near distribution centres run by GHF read more Palestinian children shove to get a ration of hot food from a charity kitchen set up at the Islamic University campus in Gaza City. AFP The head of the controversial Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF) has defended the US and Israel-backed organisation's operation in the region despite the deaths of hundreds of Palestinians during aid collection. Johnnie Moore, the chief of GHF, told BBC that while he does not dispute the deaths of Gazans, the claim that '100 per cent of those casualties are being attributed to close proximity to GHF' is 'not true'. He also accused the United Nations and other international organisations of spreading unverified information. 'We spend an extended period of time trying to understand what actually happened, if anything actually happened and whether there's a way that we can make it less likely to happen,' Moore said. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD 'People need to understand that it is disinformation that people going to GHF sites are being killed, we have no evidence of that happening in proximity to our sites,' he added. Hundreds of Palestinians, including children, have died in the past weeks as they gathered at aid distribution centres to collect food after months of blockade imposed by Israel that cut off the region from aid. Most of these deaths were reported near distribution centres run by GHF. IDF opens probe The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) have opened an investigation into possible war crimes after more evidence points to the possibility of its troops deliberately opening fire at Palestinians receiving food at aid distribution centres across Gaza. Anonymous Israeli soldiers have told Israeli newspaper Haaretz that troops had been told to shoot at crowds of Palestinian citizens collecting aid near food distribution sites to keep them away from Israeli military positions. The soldiers added that they had reservations about launching an assault on people who appeared to pose no threat. IDF rejects media reports The Israeli military has rejected reports by Israeli media, saying no forces had been ordered 'to deliberately shoot at civilians, including those approaching the distribution centres'. It added, 'To be clear, IDF directives prohibit deliberate attacks on civilians." Late on Friday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Israel's Defence Minister, Israel Katz, similarly, rejected claims made in the Haaretz report in a joint statement. They accused the news outlet of 'malicious falsehoods designed to defame the IDF, the most moral military in the world'.
Middle East Eye
18 hours ago
- General
- Middle East Eye
Successful local efforts to get aid into north Gaza met with Israeli backlash
Successful local Palestinian efforts to organise the entry of aid to northern Gaza have prompted fresh restrictions by the Israeli military and violent looting by criminal gangs. Relief was brought into north Gaza for the first time in a month on Wednesday by local tribes, drawing anger from Israeli officials and members of the Israeli public. Northern Gaza has been under full siege since March, when Israel blocked all aid and goods from entering the territory and created a severe hunger crisis. In late May, the US- and Israel-backed Gaza Humanitarian Fund (GHF), a recently launched and scandal-hit aid group, began distributing limited food parcels at four locations in south and central Gaza. The northern parts of the Palestinian enclave remain largely cut off from aid distributed through this mechanism. However, Israel has recently allowed a limited number of aid trucks carrying only wheat flour to enter some areas of the north. New MEE newsletter: Jerusalem Dispatch Sign up to get the latest insights and analysis on Israel-Palestine, alongside Turkey Unpacked and other MEE newsletters According to local reports, the recent Palestinian-led relief delivery, backed by local clans, saw several trucks enter safely and successfully, with their contents distributed on Thursday. Footage circulating online show dozens of trucks carrying aid from the United Nations World Food Programme entering the northern Gaza Strip. Others show tribesmen watching over the vehicles, some armed, attempting to shield it from looting by local gangs. However, another batch of essentials was looted on Thursday by gangs. Amjad al-Shawa, who oversees civil society groups in Gaza, said that 50 trucks scheduled to arrive into Gaza City were looted. Shawa said that the gangs, under the protection of the Israeli military, were working to "sow chaos" and divert aid. 'Israel seeks to perpetuate chaos and disorder in Gaza, and does not want the aid distribution process to adhere to humanitarian standards' - Amjad al-Shawa, civil society leader in Gaza "Israel seeks to perpetuate chaos and disorder in Gaza, and does not want the aid distribution process to adhere to humanitarian standards through distribution centers and databases," he said. "Israel seeks to sabotage the humanitarian system in Gaza by preventing the entry of aid through the United Nations and international institutions, replacing it with an American security company, thus creating internal violence among Gaza's citizens." Shawa urged the need to strengthen the role of UN humanitarian organisations and other groups that have "been working in Gaza for decades". Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has previously admitted to arming gangs in Gaza, which have been accused by aid groups of stealing lifesaving humanitarian aid, in a bid to counter Hamas. Netanyahu said earlier this month his government had "activated" powerful local clans in the enclave on the advice of "security officials", hours after former defence minister Avigdor Lieberman alleged a gang Israel was backing was affiliated with the Islamic State group. "We made use of clans in Gaza that are opposed to Hamas… What's wrong with that?' Netanyahu said in a video posted on X. Targeting security and police Meanwhile, Israel has been condemned for attacking Palestinian police and security personnel who were trying to counter looters and criminals in Deir al-Balah in central Gaza. "The Israeli occupation persists in its malicious plans and its efforts to spread chaos and destabilise the internal stability in the Gaza Strip by repeatedly targeting police and security personnel, with the aim of discouraging them from fulfilling their duty to protect the home front and confront the armed gangs operating under its command," the Ministry of Interior and National Security in Gaza said in a statement. "This ongoing Israeli targeting will not achieve its goals. "The police and security services will continue to pursue thieves and those collaborating with the occupation, striking them with an iron fist, and taking all necessary measures to strengthen the steadfastness of citizens and preserve civil peace in the Gaza Strip." Israel has also killed three local police in Asdaa, west of Khan Younis, according to local reports. "The police and security apparatus in the Gaza Strip continues to perform its duty towards our people, despite the systematic targeting it is subjected to by the Israeli occupation through daily bombing and killing. This will not weaken our resolve or break our will," the ministry said. Israeli backlash and police targeting As Palestinian efforts to bring aid into north Gaza succeeded on Wednesday, Netanyahu ordered new restrictions on the region after backlash from prominent political leaders, including Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich. Smotrich threatened to leave Netanyahu's coalition following videos of aid trucks entering north Gaza. Netanyahu admits Israel armed Gaza gangs to drive lawlessness Read More » Netanyahu and Defence Minister Israel Katz claimed Hamas was taking over aid efforts. The Gaza government disputed the claim, saying Israel was attempting to "legitimise the continued blockade, starvation and the prevention of humanitarian aid from entering for the 118th consecutive day". "We would like to clarify to the public that it was Palestinian families and clans who secured the aid convoys in the northern Gaza Strip, without any interference from the Palestinian government or factions," it stressed. "These cheap lies reveal that the occupation continues to 'engineer chaos' and spread falsehoods to create flimsy justifications for continuing to close the crossings and prevent the entry of aid, in a full-fledged crime against more than 2.4 million starving Palestinians in the Gaza Strip." Israel has previously accused Hamas of stealing aid and said the Israeli blockade on the entry of food is partly aimed at preventing the group from diverting supplies. But Cindy McCain, the executive director of the World Food Programme and widow of late US senator John McCain, rubbished such allegations, saying much of the aid that is being looted is being seized by destitute Palestinians.
Time of India
a day ago
- Health
- Time of India
WHO delivers its first medical aid to Gaza since March 2
Geneva: The World Health Organization said Thursday that it had delivered its first medical shipment into Gaza since March 2, adding though that the nine truckloads were "a drop in the ocean". Wednesday's shipment of supplies, plasma and blood will be distributed among hospitals in the Palestinian territory in the coming days, WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said on X. Israel imposed a total blockade on the Gaza Strip on March 2. More than two months later, it began allowing some food in, but no other aid items until now. Tedros said nine trucks carrying essential medical supplies, 2,000 units of blood and 1,500 units of plasma were delivered via the Kerem Shalom crossing with Israel, "without any looting incident, despite the high-risk conditions along the route". "These supplies will be distributed to priority hospitals in the coming days," Tedros said. "The blood and plasma were delivered to Nasser Medical Complex's cold storage facility for onward distribution to hospitals facing critical shortages, amid a growing influx of injuries, many linked to incidents at food distribution sites." Last week the WHO said only 17 of Gaza's 36 hospitals were minimally to partially functional, with the rest unable to function at all. Tedros said four WHO trucks were still at Kerem Shalom and more were on their way towards Gaza. "However, these medical supplies are only a drop in the ocean. Aid at scale is essential to save lives," he said. "WHO calls for the immediate, unimpeded and sustained delivery of health aid into Gaza through all possible routes." Israel began allowing supplies to trickle in at the end of May following its more than two-month total blockade, but distribution has been marred by chaotic scenes and near-daily reports of Israeli forces firing on people waiting to collect rations. The Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, a new US- and Israel-backed food distribution system, began handing out food in Gaza on May 26. But the UN and major aid groups have refused to cooperate with the GHF -- an officially private effort with opaque funding -- over concerns it was designed to cater to Israeli military objectives. Israel is pressing its bombardment of the territory in a military offensive it says is aimed at defeating the militant group Hamas, whose unprecedented October 2023 attack on Israel triggered the war.
Qatar Tribune
2 days ago
- Health
- Qatar Tribune
Israeli attacks kill 62 in Gaza, including three near aid site
Agencies Gaza At least 62 people have been killed in Israeli attacks across the Gaza Strip, medical sources told Al Jazeera, as Israel's national security minister called for a 'complete halt' of humanitarian aid supplies to the Palestinian territory. Local health authorities said on Thursday that Israeli air attacks killed at least 15 people in two separate attacks in Gaza City, including nine people who were killed at a school housing displaced families in the city's Sheikh Radwan suburb. A separate strike killed nine people near a tent encampment in Khan Younis, in the south of the enclave. Hospital sources told Al Jazeera that nine people were killed and wounded in a drone attack on Deir el-Balah's market street. At least 62 people were killed in Israeli attacks on Wednesday, medical sources said. The Palestinian Red Crescent Society reported that three people were killed and others injured by Israeli army fire while waiting for humanitarian aid near a distribution point at the Netzarim Corridor in central Gaza, the latest in a series of killings at aid distribution points set up by the controversial US- and Israel-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF). According to Gaza's Government Media Office, at least 549 Palestinians have been killed while attempting to get food from the sites since the GHF began operations on May 27. It said the attacks on those seeking aid have also caused 4,066 injuries, and that 39 civilians remained missing following the attacks. According to British charity Save the Children, more than half of the casualties in the attacks near distribution hubs were children. Of the 19 deadly incidents reported, the organisation found that children were among the casualties in 10 of them. 'No-one wants to get aid from these distribution points and who can blame them – it's a death sentence. People are terrified of being killed,' said Ahmad Alhendawi, Save the Children's regional director for the Middle East, North Africa and Eastern Europe. The GHF has been criticised by the United Nations and international humanitarian organisations, which say it is inadequate to deliver humanitarian supplies to Gaza's population. The GHF took over aid operations in May, following mounting criticism against Israel's months-long total blockade on aid getting into the Strip. That had pushed most of the population to the brink of starvation. On Thursday, National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir called for the Israeli government to reimpose its total blockade. 'The humanitarian aid currently entering Gaza is an absolute disgrace,' he said, adding that 'what is needed in Gaza is not a temporary halt to 'humanitarian' aid, but a complete stop.' Meanwhile, the UN agency for Palestinian refugees warned that families across Gaza are at risk of dying of thirst amid the collapse of water supply systems. UNRWA noted that only 40 percent of drinking water production facilities are still operating, and that 'Gaza is on the edge of a man-made drought. 'Extracting water from wells stopped due to fuel shortages, others located in dangerous areas that are difficult to access, pipelines are broken and leaking, and water tankers that often do not arrive,' the agency said.
Observer
2 days ago
- Health
- Observer
WHO delivers its first medical aid to Gaza since March 2
GENEVA: The World Health Organization said on Thursday that it had delivered its first medical shipment into Gaza since March 2, adding though that the nine truckloads were "a drop in the ocean". Wednesday's shipment of supplies, plasma and blood will be distributed among hospitals in the Palestinian territory in the coming days, WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said on X. Israel imposed a total blockade on the Gaza Strip on March 2. More than two months later, it began allowing some food in, but no other aid items until now. Tedros said nine trucks carrying essential medical supplies, 2,000 units of blood and 1,500 units of plasma were delivered via the Kerem Shalom crossing with Israel, "without any looting incident, despite the high-risk conditions along the route". "These supplies will be distributed to priority hospitals in the coming days," Tedros said. "The blood and plasma were delivered to Nasser Medical Complex's cold storage facility for onward distribution to hospitals facing critical shortages, amid a growing influx of injuries, many linked to incidents at food distribution sites." Last week, the WHO said only 17 of Gaza's 36 hospitals were minimally to partially functional, with the rest unable to function at all. Tedros said four WHO trucks were still at Kerem Shalom and more were on their way towards Gaza. "However, these medical supplies are only a drop in the ocean. Aid at scale is essential to save lives," he said. "WHO calls for the immediate, unimpeded and sustained delivery of health aid into Gaza through all possible routes." Israel began allowing supplies to trickle in at the end of May following its more than two-month total blockade, but distribution has been marred by chaotic scenes and near-daily reports of Israeli forces firing on people waiting to collect rations. The Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, a new US- and Israel-backed food distribution system, began handing out food in Gaza on May 26. But the UN and major aid groups have refused to cooperate with the GHF -- an officially private effort with opaque funding -- over concerns it was designed to cater to Israeli military objectives. Israel is pressing its bombardment of the territory in a military offensive it says is aimed at defeating Hamas, whose unprecedented October 2023 attack on Israel triggered the war. - AFP
