Israeli Military Opens Fire Near Aid Sites, Killing At Least 10 Palestinians Seeking Food

From May 27 to July 31, 859 people were killed near Gaza Humanitarian Foundation distribution sites, according to a United Nations report published Thursday.

DEIR AL-BALAH, Gaza Strip (AP) — Israeli forces opened fire near two aid distribution sites run by the Israeli-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation as crowds of hungry Palestinians again sought food, killing at least 10 people, witnesses and health workers said Saturday — a day after U.S. officials visited a GHF site and the U.S. ambassador called the troubled system “an incredible feat.”

Nearly a week has passed since Israel, under international pressure amid growing scenes of starving children, announced limited humanitarian pauses and airdrops meant to get more food to Gaza’s over 2 million people, who now largely rely on aid after almost 22 months of war.

But the United Nations, partners and Palestinians say far too little aid is still coming in, with months’ worth of supplies piled up outside Gaza waiting for Israeli approval. Trucks that enter are mostly stripped of supplies by desperate people and criminal groups before reaching warehouses for distribution.

Experts this week said a “worst-case scenario of famine” was occurring in the besieged enclave. On Saturday, Gaza’s health ministry said seven more Palestinians had died of malnutrition-related causes over the past 24 hours, including a child.

Families of the 50 hostages still in Gaza fear they are going hungry too, and blame Hamas, after the militants released images of an emaciated hostage, Evyatar David.