Israeli fire kills 50 Palestinians waiting for aid in Gaza

CAIRO/GAZA: Israeli fire killed at least 50 people on Monday, nearly half of them near an aid distribution site run by the US-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, the territory’s Health Ministry said, as UN officials denounced Israeli-backed aid delivery methods.

Medics said at least 23 of those people were killed and 200 others wounded near an aid distribution site in Rafah, the latest in daily mass shootings that have killed hundreds of Palestinians trying to reach food since Israel imposed a new distribution system after partly lifting a near three-month total blockade.

Israel has put responsibility for distributing much of the aid it allows into Gaza into the hands of a new US-backed group, the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, which operates three sites in areas guarded by Israeli troops. The United Nations has rejected the plan, saying GHF distribution is inadequate, dangerous and violates humanitarian impartiality principles.

There was no immediate comment from the Israeli military about Monday’s reports of shootings. In previous incidents, it has occasionally acknowledged troops opening fire near aid sites, while blaming militants for provoking the violence.

The GHF said in a statement late on Monday that it has distributed more than 3 million meals at its four distribution sites without incident. Relatives arrived at Nasser Hospital to mourn the dead. Women and children wept beside bodies wrapped in white shrouds.