Israeli-US-Backed Gaza Aid Sites Close After Deadly Shootings

The Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), backed by the United States and Israel, has temporarily closed its aid distribution centers in Gaza following multiple deadly incidents where Palestinians were shot while trying to access food aid. At least 27 people were killed near a GHF site in Rafah during Israeli military operations, with further casualties reported in subsequent shootings and bombings. The Israeli military labeled roads leading to these sites as combat zones and urged Palestinians to follow designated routes for safety, while investigations into the shootings are ongoing. The GHF justified the closures as necessary for maintenance, reorganization, and improving distribution efficiency amid escalating violence and security concerns. The UN, Britain, and humanitarian officials condemned the shootings and called for independent investigations, highlighting the dire humanitarian situation in Gaza where the population faces famine risks despite eased blockades. Critics argue the militarized nature of GHF’s aid delivery, closely coordinated with Israeli forces, endangers civilians attempting to collect aid, prompting calls for safer humanitarian access.