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Israeli newspaper Haaretz has reported that Israeli soldiers were ordered by their commanders to open fire on unarmed Palestinians seeking food aid in Gaza. According to Haaretz, multiple soldiers admitted to firing machine guns and grenades at civilians near food distribution sites run by the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, a controversial aid body backed by Israel and the US.
The Gaza Government Media Office stated that at least 549 Palestinians have been killed and over 4,000 injured at these aid sites. Some Israeli soldiers, quoted anonymously, described their posts as “killing fields” where civilians were hit daily, sometimes under the cover of fog.
The Israeli military rejected the accusations and denied that soldiers were instructed to fire at civilians. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defence Minister Israel Katz condemned the Haaretz report, calling it a “blood libel” against the army. They defended the Israeli Defense Forces, saying it operates under strict rules to avoid harming civilians.
Despite the official denial, Israel’s Military Advocate General has ordered an investigation into the alleged war crimes. One of the reporters behind the story said that using gunfire to control crowds appears to be a deliberate military tactic, even when those crowds are known to be unarmed.
The Gaza Government Media Office called the report further evidence of genocide under the pretense of aid. Aid groups, including the United Nations and Doctors Without Borders, have condemned the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, saying it weaponizes basic necessities. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres stressed that violations of international law must lead to accountability.
Since the war began in October 2023, more than 56,000 people have been killed in Gaza, with over 132,000 wounded, according to the territory's health ministry. Aid seekers now face a deadly choice risk starvation or be shot while seeking food.
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