Israeli forces are investigating potential war crimes following increased evidence that they may have intentionally targeted Palestinian civilians gathering for food aid in Gaza. Reports indicate that airstrikes, shootings, and artillery fire by the Israeli Defense Force (IDF) resulted in hundreds of civilian deaths, particularly during food distributions. An anonymous Israeli soldier allegedly claimed that troops were instructed to fire on crowds near distribution sites.
The IDF denies these claims, asserting that there are no orders to intentionally shoot civilians. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Israel Katz condemned media reports as falsehoods aimed at tarnishing the IDF’s reputation.
Food scarcity in Gaza has become critical due to Israeli lockdowns, affecting roughly 2.3 million people. While some aid distribution has resumed after a partial lifting of restrictions, challenges remain, including ongoing airstrikes and access issues. Recent airstrikes have killed civilians and security personnel alike, further complicating the humanitarian situation.
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres criticized the current aid operations as “inherently unsafe,” emphasizing that seeking food should not be life-threatening. The ongoing conflict has resulted in significant civilian casualties, with local officials reporting over 56,000 deaths in Gaza since the conflict escalated.
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