The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) has confirmed firing warning shots at Palestinians who approached military personnel in the Netzarim Corridor area of central Gaza overnight, claiming they "posed a threat" despite repeated warnings.
This confirmation comes amid reports from Gaza health officials that approximately 25 Palestinians were killed near an aid distribution site operated by the Israeli- and US-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF). The fatalities reportedly occurred as civilians gathered to receive food assistance in the area.
The IDF has acknowledged the reports of casualties and stated it is conducting a thorough investigation into the incident. According to military officials, the victims had entered a designated combat zone in violation of previously issued warnings.
"Despite warnings that the area is an active combat zone, individuals approached troops in a manner that posed a potential threat," the military said in a statement. "Warning shots were fired in response."
Conflicting Accounts and Video Evidence
Last week, the IDF issued public alerts warning Palestinians to avoid all roads leading to GHF aid distribution sites between 6 p.m. and 6 a.m., designating those routes as closed military zones. However, a video circulating online has complicated the narrative.
The footage purportedly shows Palestinians fleeing a GHF site under apparent gunfire during daylight hours, raising questions about the timing and circumstances of the incident. In response, the IDF said it is "unaware of gunfire by IDF troops" during those hours but is "reviewing the footage and investigating the claims."
The Gaza Humanitarian Foundation has not yet issued a statement addressing questions about whether its sites were operating before the 6 a.m. window, potentially in defiance of IDF directives.
Broader Humanitarian Context
This incident occurs against the backdrop of an ongoing humanitarian crisis in Gaza, where access to food, medicine, and other essential supplies remains severely limited. Aid distribution points have become critical lifelines for the civilian population, making incidents at these locations particularly concerning for humanitarian organizations.
The United Nations and various international aid agencies have repeatedly called for improved humanitarian access and greater protection for civilians in Gaza as the conflict continues.
BenriNews will continue to monitor developments related to this incident and provide updates as more information becomes available.
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