Israeli Soldiers Testify: Ordered to Shoot at Gaza Aid Stations
Israeli soldiers are being ordered to shoot at Palestinians queuing for emergency aid, even if they pose no threat, several soldiers tell Haaretz.
The aid stations are only open for one hour a day, and soldiers are ordered to shoot if anyone starts queuing too early or is there after closing time.
“They are being treated as hostile forces. There are no measures taken to control crowds, no tear gas. Just live fire with everything you can imagine,” says one soldier.
Another person describes it as the Israeli army’s ethical codes “completely breaking down.”
Haaretz reports that the military’s own investigative body has been tasked with investigating whether war crimes may have been involved.
According to the UN, 410 Palestinians have been killed while trying to get emergency aid at US-backed GHF distribution sites.
GHF Chief Calls UN Figures “Disinformation”
Pro-Israel evangelical Johnnie Moore, head of the heavily criticized Gaza Humanitarian Foundations (GHF), calls the figures showing hundreds killed while distributing food “disinformation.”
According to the UN, 410 Palestinians have been killed while trying to get emergency aid at GHF distribution sites. The Hamas-controlled Ministry of Health says 549 people have been killed.
Aid organizations have strongly criticized GHF. In a statement on Friday, Doctors Without Borders called the operations “slaughter disguised as emergency aid.”
On the ground, Gazans testify to the impossible situation.
– This is a trap, because the plan is to expel us, not to distribute food and drink. If they had wanted to organize it, they would have done so. They created chaos deliberately, one man tells Sky.
US gives $30 million to criticized GHF in Gaza
The US approves a first direct funding package of $30 million to the controversial Israel-backed group Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF). This is reported by AFP.
Israel began a blockade of food and other supplies in March. In May, GHF began distributing aid in Gaza, with the support of armed US contract soldiers and Israeli troops. The operation has been marked by chaotic scenes and hundreds of Palestinians have been killed at distribution sites.
Tommy Pigott, a spokesman for the US State Department, urges other countries to support GHF. He dismisses criticism of GHF, saying the group has distributed 46 million meals so far, calling it “absolutely incredible.”
“From day one, we have said we are open to creative solutions that safely provide aid to the people of Gaza and protect Israelis.
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