Gaza Rescuers Report 36 Killed in Israeli Fire
Six Civilians Shot Near US-Backed Aid Distribution Center
In one of the latest deadly incidents in Gaza, local civil defence teams reported that Israeli forces opened fire on civilians on Saturday, killing at least 36 Palestinians. Among them were six individuals fatally shot near a humanitarian aid distribution centre in Rafah, operated by the Gaza Humanitarian Fund (GHF), a private aid initiative with support reportedly tied to U.S. channels.
Al-Alam Roundabout Becomes Deadly Gathering Point
The Al-Alam roundabout in southern Rafah has turned into a daily convergence point for desperate civilians seeking humanitarian relief. Since late May, crowds have assembled here each morning to await supplies from the nearby GHF aid centre. On Saturday, that hope turned into horror when a live fire erupted just after 7:00 a.m.
According to Mahmud Bassal, spokesperson for Gaza’s civil defence, the gunfire killed six people and left multiple others wounded. “The Israeli occupation forces opened fire near the roundabout, killing civilians as they tried to approach the aid distribution point,” he said.
Israeli Military Claims’ Warning Shots’ Were Fired
After being asked about it, the Israeli military said in a statement that its soldiers had fired “warning shots” at people they saw moving “in a way that endangered the troops.” However, the full circumstances of the incident remain unverified, and casualty figures reported by Gaza’s civil defence have not been independently confirmed.
GHF Aid Center Reopens Amid Renewed Violence
The Gaza Humanitarian Fund, which had briefly paused operations earlier in the week due to security concerns, had just resumed aid distributions before Saturday’s shootings. GHF, established in late May after Israel slightly eased its blockade, operates outside the framework of traditional humanitarian organizations, raising questions about its affiliations and objectives.
Concerns Mount Over GHF’s Transparency and Neutrality
While the GHF continues to function as one of the few active relief distributors in southern Gaza, major humanitarian bodies remain sceptical. Its funding sources are not disclosed, and critics argue it operates under indirect influence from Israeli military planning.
International Aid Agencies Avoid Involvement with GHF
A lot of well-known global NGOs and UN bodies have decided not to work with the GHF. A lot of well-known global NGOs and UN bodies have decided not to work with the GHF. They argue that working with organizations that are not strictly neutral could jeopardize humanitarian principles and further complicate aid delivery in an already volatile environment.
Flotilla Aims to Challenge Israeli Blockade
As ground tensions escalated, eyes turned to the sea, where an international activist flotilla — led by the aid boat *Madleen* — moved closer to Gaza’s coastline. The mission: to break through Israel’s maritime blockade and deliver supplies directly to Palestinians in need.
Greta Thunberg is one of 12 activists on board the aid ship.
Twelve activists are on the “Madleen.” One of them is the well-known Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg. Their job is not only to bring aid to Gaza but also to make more people around the world aware of the terrible situation there.
Activists Report Safe Progress Near Egyptian Waters
“We are now off the coast of Egypt,” German human rights activist Yasemin Acar said from the ship. We’re safe and continuing forward.” The International Committee confirmed the ship’s location for Breaking the Siege of Gaza, a member group of the flotilla alliance.
Flotilla Organizers Warn of Legal Ramifications
In a statement issued from London, the flotilla coalition warned that any interception of the *Madleen* by Israeli forces would constitute “a blatant violation of international humanitarian law.” Organizers said they keep in touch with law and rights groups around the world to make sure the activists on board are safe.
Israel Says Again It Will Keep the Naval Blockade in Place
The Israeli government is still committed to keeping the naval ban on Gaza in place. Military officials said they were ready to respond to any efforts to break through, even though the situation for civilians in the area is getting worse and is drawing more criticism from around the world.
Military Prepares for Possible Interception at Sea
Brigadier General Effie Defrin, a spokesperson for the Israeli military, stated earlier this week that preparations were in place. “We are prepared for this scenario. “Over the past few years, we’ve gained experience, and we will act accordingly,” he said.
Recalling the 2010 Mavi Marmara Incident
The goal of the flotilla is eerily similar to what happened on the *Mavi Marmara* in 2010. Ten civilians were killed when Israeli commandos boarded a Turkish aid ship that was trying to break the blockade. That raid drew sharp international condemnation and continues to serve as a flashpoint in discussions around Israel’s blockade enforcement policies.
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