13 Killed In Israeli Fire Near U.S.-Backed Aid Center In Gaza

At least 13 Palestinians were killed by Israeli forces in Gaza on Saturday, including six shot near a U.S.-backed aid distribution point in Rafah, according to Gaza’s civil defence agency.

Spokesman Mahmud Bassal said the incident occurred around 7:00 a.m. near the Al-Alam roundabout, where thousands had gathered to collect aid from the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF) center, located about one kilometre away.

Eyewitness Samir Abu Hadid told AFP that Israeli forces first fired warning shots before shooting into the crowd. The Israeli military said it was reviewing the incident.

In northern Gaza, seven others were reported dead in an Israeli airstrike on a house near Al-Shifa hospital.

The GHF began operations in May after Israel eased its blockade. The UN has distanced itself from the initiative over neutrality concerns, warning of widespread starvation across Gaza’s population of over two million.