US- and Israeli-backed group pauses food delivery in Gaza after deadly shootings

By WAFAA SHURAFA Associated Press DEIR AL-BALAH Gaza Strip AP An Israeli- and U S -backed group paused food delivery at its three distribution sites in the Gaza Strip after medical leaders mentioned dozens of Palestinians were killed in a series of shootings near the sites this week Israeli strikes across the territory meanwhile killed people overnight and into Wednesday leaders stated The Gaza Humanitarian Foundation declared it was in discussions with the Israeli military on better guiding foot traffic near the distribution hubs and enhancing military training procedures to promote safety The move came a day after Israeli forces acknowledged opening fire as people headed toward a GHF site in the now mostly uninhabited southern city of Rafah a military zone off limits to independent media Related Articles Iran s supreme leader criticizes US proposal in nuclear talks but doesn t reject the idea of a deal Currently in History June the Tiananmen Square Massacre Spanish governing body says housing sector is not a free for all after contemporary crackdown on Airbnb Outspoken liberal leader Lee elected South Korea s president capping months of political turmoil What made Mount Etna s latest eruption so rare Gaza fitness leaders the Red Cross and the U N rights office reported people were killed on Tuesday and onlookers blamed Israeli forces Israel s military declared it fired near people it described as persons who it commented approached its forces and ignored warning shots It says it is looking into reports of casualties At least people have been killed since the sites opened last week according to hospital authorities including dozens in similar shootings at roughly the same location on Sunday and Monday when the military also explained it had fired warning shots GHF says there has been no violence in the aid sites themselves but has acknowledged the anticipated dangers people face when traveling to them on foot Thousands of Palestinians walk to the sites early each morning desperate for food and hoping to beat the crowds and pass near Israeli forces in the predawn darkness GHF stated it appealed the Israeli military which is sometimes referred to as the IDF to introduce measures that guide foot traffic in a way that minimizes confusion or escalation risks near IDF military perimeters develop clearer IDF-issued guidance to help the population transit safely enhance IDF force training and refine internal IDF procedures to help safety In a separate growth Israeli strikes across Gaza killed at least people according to hospital personnel One of the strikes hit a tent in Gaza City killing seven people including two women and a -year-old girl according to Shifa Hospital The military stated it was looking into the reports Israel says it only targets militants and blames Hamas for civilian deaths because the group is entrenched in populated areas Hamas has been designated as a terrorist organization by the United States Canada and the European Union A controversial new aid system Israel and the United States say they supported the establishment of the new aid system to prevent Hamas from stealing aid and selling it to finance its programs Israel has not claimed that Hamas fired in the area of the GHF sites The United Nations which operates a longstanding aid system that can deliver to hundreds of locations across the territory denies there has been any systematic diversion of aid by Hamas saying it has mechanisms to prevent that The U N has refused to take part in the new system saying it violates humanitarian principles by allowing Israel to control who gets aid and by forcing Palestinians to trip to just three distribution hubs two of which are in the southernmost city of Rafah Israel imposed a complete ban on food and other imports for months before easing the restrictions in May U N agencies say lingering restrictions the breakdown of law and order inside Gaza and widespread looting have made it complex to deliver assistance Experts warned earlier this year that Gaza is at peril of famine if Israel does not lift its blockade and stop the military campaign it renewed in March when it shattered a ceasefire with Hamas The war began when Hamas-led terrorists stormed into southern Israel on Oct killing chosen people mostly civilians and abducting They are still holding hostages around a third inferred to be alive after bulk of the rest were distributed in ceasefire agreements or other deals Israel s military campaign has killed over people in Gaza mostly women and children according to Gaza s Wellbeing Ministry which does not say how a great number of of the dead were civilians or combatants The ministry is led by health professionals but reports to the Hamas-run governing body Its toll is seen as generally reliable by U N agencies and independent experts though Israel has challenged its numbers Israel says it has killed a few militants without providing evidence The offensive has destroyed vast areas displaced around of the population and left people almost altogether reliant on international aid