Jerusalem
CNN
–
Palestinians on their way to receive assistance from the distribution scene in southern Gaza opened fire for the third day in a row, killing nearly 30 people and injured dozens, according to Nasser Hospital, Palestinian Health.
The ministry said Israeli forces fired fire on Palestinians as they advanced to the distribution site of Tel Sultan in Rafa early on Tuesday.
Israeli forces said the force fired multiple times after identifying “several suspects deviating from the designated access route are moving towards them.”
“The military issued a warning and additional shots were overseen near several individual suspects who advanced towards the military after the suspect failed to retreat,” the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) said in a statement.
At least 27 people have been killed and dozens have been injured, according to the directors of the Palestinian Ministry of Health and Nassar Hospital in Gaza.
Video obtained by CNN shows people arriving at Nasser Hospital in Khan Eunice on many stretchers.
Dr. Marwan Al Hams, Gaza’s field hospital director, said Nasser was overwhelmed by the number of victims coming.
“It can only be made available to the next patient if someone dies in the intensive care unit,” he told CNN. Alhams said the injuries he was seeing were mainly the result of the shooting and were concentrated in the patient’s upper body.
The hospital asked for emergency blood donation.
The shooting on Tuesday occurred in the area surrounding Al-Alam roundabout on the west side of Rafa, according to paramedics from the Palestinian Red Crescent Association, which is located near the same location as the filming incidents over the past two days.
The area is part of Israeli military operations across Khan Yunis, according to a diplomat who said Israeli forces fired fire at a large group of Palestinians who they perceived as an “immediate threat” when they tried to reach the aid distribution site.
Earlier on Tuesday morning, the controversial US- and Israeli-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF) used to publish information on the opening of the distribution site, one location is open in South Gaza and warned residents to warn residents to stick to designated corridors starting at 5am.
“The IDF is in the area to ensure safe passageways,” the statement said.
However, about an hour later, the page says the site will be closed.
According to GHF, the site eventually opened and distributed 21 truck food boxes. The aid was distributed “safely and without issue on today’s sites,” the organization said, adding that areas beyond security perimeters “are well beyond secure distribution sites and control.”
The incident marks the third day when people were killed on their way to the GHF distribution point west of Rafa, as hunger conditions worsen in Gaza after an 11-week lockdown by Israel.
Palestinians and hospital authorities said three Palestinians were shot dead on Monday morning while accessing aid from the site, causing dozens to be injured. The Israeli Defense Force (IDF) said the Israeli troops fired warning shots from about a kilometre from the aid distribution site, examining details of the incident.
Dozens of Palestinians were shot dead by Israeli forces in the same area on Sunday, according to Palestinian officials and witnesses. Israeli forces denied that the troops fired “within or near” the aid delivery site.
Palestinian officials said 31 people were killed in the incident on Sunday and scored points. Israeli military sources confirmed that Israeli forces fired fire at an individual about a kilometer (1,093 yards) away before the aid site opened.
This story has been updated with additional developments.
