Israeli military advises access roads to the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation’s (GHF) aid distribution centres are now ‘combat zones’. The United States- and Israeli-funded Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF) will be halting aid distribution in the conflict-ridden region on Wednesday, one day after Israeli troops once again fired on Palestinian aid recipients near a GHF distribution centre, killing at least 27 and wounding over 100.
Israel’s army further asserted that approach roads to the aid centres of distribution will be “treated as combat zones” on Wednesday, and cautioned that Gaza residents should take note of the GHF statement to avoid them.
We affirm that tomorrow travelling is banned on roads leading to the distribution centres… and entering the distribution centres is prohibited,” an Israeli army spokesperson stated. On a social media post, GHF stated that the temporary closure was to enable “renovation, reorganisation and efficiency improvement work”.
“Because of the constant updates, access to the distribution centre areas is gradually forbidden! Do not visit the site and obey general guidelines. Operation resumes on Thursday. Keep following updates,” the group stated.
The temporary halt of aid follows over 100 Palestinian individuals who were applying for aid being reported killed by Israeli soldiers in the area around GHF distribution sites since the organisation began working in the enclave on May 27.
The killing of people desperately seeking food supplies has triggered mounting international outrage with United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres demanding an independent inquiry into the deaths and for “perpetrators to be held accountable”.
“It is unacceptable that Palestinians are risking their lives for food,” Guterres said. The Israeli army has confirmed it fired at people seeking aid on Tuesday but said that they used their guns when “suspects” strayed off a designated path as a group of Palestinians was approaching the GHF distribution point in Gaza.
Israel’s army stated that it is investigating the incident and the reports of fatalities. On Tuesday, GHF appointed US evangelical Christian leader Reverend Dr Johnnie Moore as its new executive chairman.
