**Israeli Military Investigates Reports of Civilians Being Harmed at Aid Distribution Centers in Gaza**
The Israeli military has announced that it is investigating reports of civilians being harmed as they approached aid distribution centers in Gaza operated by the US and Israeli-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF). This comes after a three-month Israeli blockade of Gaza, which ended last month.
Since the GHF operations began in late May, there have been almost daily reports from medics, eyewitnesses, and the Hamas-run health ministry that Israeli fire has killed people seeking help at these sites. The United Nations (UN) reports that more than 400 Palestinians were killed while seeking assistance.
**Israeli Military Acknowledges Casualties but Denies Deliberate Firing**
The Israeli military said on Monday that “lessons” had been learned and that instructions had been given to the forces, but did not specify these lessons. The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) have previously claimed that they fired “warning shots” at suspects approaching their troops. However, the IDF has now acknowledged that some Palestinians were killed while seeking aid, but disputes Hamas’s figures of casualties.
The Times of Israel and other Israeli media outlets reported on Monday that the IDF admitted that “inaccurate” firing by its forces in some cases led to casualties, including deaths. The BBC brought these points up to the IDF, who said that reports on incidents of harm are being examined, and that any allegations of deviation from IDF directives or the law will be thoroughly investigated.
**International Condemnation and Response**
UN agencies have condemned the GHF system, with UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres calling it “inherently dangerous” on Friday. The system is designed to bypass the UN, which is the main source of aid for Palestinians. Israel and the US claim that the system would stop Hamas from stealing aid, something the group denies.
In response to the criticism, the IDF announced on Monday that it was reorganizing access to the sites, including new fencing and signposting. The US State Department also announced last week that it would be providing $30m (£22m) to the GHF, its first direct contribution.
**Concerns Over Aid Distribution and Blockade**
The Israeli blockade of Gaza has been partially eased after pressure from US allies and warnings by global experts that a half million people face starvation. However, the health ministry of Gaza reports that more than 56,500 people have died in Gaza since then.
This controversy highlights concerns over the effectiveness and safety of the GHF system, as well as the Israeli blockade of Gaza. The international community continues to call for an end to the blockade and a more humane approach to providing aid to the Palestinian people.
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