Geneva [Switzerland], June 25: At least 410 people have been killed by Israeli forces since late May during the chaotic distribution of food by a new foundation in the Gaza Strip, a spokesman for the UN Human Rights Office said on Tuesday.
"Since the 'Gaza Humanitarian Foundation' started operating on 27 May, the Israeli military has shelled and shot Palestinians trying to reach the distribution points, leading to many fatalities," said Thameen Al Kheetan in a news release issued in Geneva. "Reportedly, over 410 Palestinians have been killed as a result," he added. Al Kheetan stated that direct attacks by Israeli forces caused these deaths, and that the UN had verified nearly all of the cases.
He noted that while there are also reports of armed groups operating near food distribution centres, the casualties referenced involved actions by Israeli troops. The Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), which is backed by Israel and the US, has been working in the Gaza Strip with the aim of forming an alternative to the UN and international aid organizations after an Israeli blockade on humanitarian assistance lasted almost three months.
According to Al Kheetan, a further 93 people were killed by Israeli forces when they attempted to approach the few authorized United Nations convoys. A total of around 3,000 Palestinians were injured.
Israel is violating international law by blocking UN convoys for the starving population, the spokesman said. Denying civilians vital aid is a war crime, he added. "Israel's militarized humanitarian assistance mechanism is in contradiction with international standards on aid distribution," Al Kheetan said, adding that "it endangers civilians, and contributes to the catastrophic humanitarian situation in Gaza."
Following the announcement of a ceasefire with Iran, relatives of Israeli hostages demanded on Tuesday an immediate halt to the war in Gaza.
"We call on the government to engage in urgent negotiations that will bring home all the hostages and end the war," the Hostage and Missing Families Forum said in a statement.
Source: Qatar Tribune
