“People walk for miles from early morning, trying to reach the limited aid points… When they sense the crowds grow… soldiers open fire…”
At least 35 Palestinians were killed Saturday after Israeli troops allegedly opened fire near aid distribution centres in Rafah, according to Palestinian health officials. An additional fatality was reported near the Netzarim Corridor.
The Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), a US-backed group managing the aid sites, disputed the death toll, claiming Israeli forces only fired “warning shots.” The Israeli military stated it was “currently unaware of injuries” and is reviewing the incident.
Witnesses and local medical personnel painted a starkly different picture. “People walk for miles from early morning… When they sense the crowds grow… soldiers open fire,” said Bassam Zaqout of the Palestinian Medical Relief Society.
Hamas condemned the incident as a “brutal massacre” and demanded an international investigation.
The Gaza Health Ministry puts the total death toll from the ongoing conflict at over 54,000.
Meanwhile, Israeli forces arrested 12 Palestinians in West Bank raids, and ceasefire talks remain stalled as the US rejected new Hamas demands.
READ MORE AT SAHARA REPORTERS.