Gaza's civil defense agency reported at least 36 Palestinians killed by Israeli forces on Saturday, including six near a U.S.-backed aid distribution center in Rafah. The incident has reignited global concern over civilian safety amid escalating violence. 🚨
Israeli troops claimed they fired "warning shots" at individuals allegedly advancing "in a way that endangered" them, according to AFP. The shooting occurred near the Al-Alam roundabout, where residents gathered to seek aid from the Gaza Humanitarian Fund (GHF) center. Civil defense spokesman Mahmud Bassal described the scene as "chaotic," with wounded survivors rushed to overwhelmed hospitals. 🏥
The GHF paused distributions earlier this week due to similar violence and cited "direct threats" from Hamas as the reason for halting operations Saturday. Meanwhile, Israel announced the killing of Asaad Abu Sharia—a leader of the Hamas-aligned Mujahideen Brigades—during a Gaza City operation, accusing his group of involvement in hostage deaths.
Gaza's health ministry, administered by Hamas, states the war's death toll has reached 54,772, mostly civilians. The UN considers these figures credible. As international calls for ceasefire negotiations grow louder, humanitarian organizations warn of collapsing aid systems. 🤝💬
