Breaking: IDF Launches War Crimes Inquiry Amid Civilian Deaths at Gaza Aid Sites

The Israeli military has initiated an investigation into potential war crimes following mounting evidence and allegations that its forces deliberately targeted Palestinian civilians gathering for aid in Gaza. This internal inquiry comes amidst reports of hundreds killed in recent weeks due to air attacks, shootings, and bombardments while seeking food or en route to distribution points.

An Israeli newspaper, Haaretz, recently quoted unnamed soldiers who claimed they were instructed to fire at crowds near food distribution sites to deter them from Israeli military positions. These soldiers reportedly expressed concerns about the use of lethal force against individuals who appeared to pose no threat. Haaretz also indicated that the army unit responsible for reviewing potential breaches of international law has been tasked with examining soldiers’ conduct near these distribution locations over the past month.

The IDF, however, has vehemently rejected these accusations, stating that no forces were ordered to “deliberately shoot at civilians, including those approaching the distribution centers,” and reaffirmed that its directives prohibit such actions. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Israel Katz dismissed the Haaretz report as “malicious falsehoods designed to defame the IDF.”

The investigation highlights the dire humanitarian situation in Gaza, where food scarcity has become extreme due to a tight blockade. Despite recent partial lifting of the blockade, aid delivery faces severe obstacles, including damaged roads, Israeli military restrictions, ongoing airstrikes, and widespread looting.

In a recent incident on Thursday, 18 people were reportedly killed in an Israeli strike targeting Palestinian police distributing flour in Deir al-Balah, central Gaza. Medical officials stated the strike appeared to target members of a Hamas-led security force (Sahm) aimed at combating looting. Witnesses reported many casualties were ordinary civilians.

UN Secretary-General António Guterres critically assessed the US-backed aid operation in Gaza on Friday, stating it is “inherently unsafe” and “killing people.” He emphasized, “The search for food must never be a death sentence.” The conflict, triggered by a Hamas attack, has resulted in over 56,000 fatalities in Gaza, predominantly civilians.

阅读中文版 (Read Chinese Version)

Disclaimer: This content is aggregated from public sources online. Please verify information independently. If you believe your rights have been infringed, contact us for removal.