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Israeli strike on aid delivery point kills 26 in Rafah: Report

There was no immediate comment from Israel on the reported strike. The GHF, also backed by Israel, recently started operating in Gaza.

Fire and smoke rise following an Israeli airstrike in Gaza City. (AP Photo/ File)

At least 26 people were reportedly killed at an aid distribution point run by US-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF) in Rafah in a reported strike by Israeli military, Palestinian and Hamas-affiliated media said on Sunday.

However, Israel has yet not commented upon the reported strike. The GHF, which recently started operating in Gaza to distribute aid, is backed by the United States and Israel as well.

The Distribution site run by the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), witnessed large crowds rushing the facilities, breaking barriers in seek of aid.(Reuters Photo)

Due to its biometric checks and other screening processes, some Palestinians expressed concern over the neutrality of the GHF but Israel gave it a green light by adding that it allowed screening of recipients, to keep those connected with Hamas away from the aid centre.

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On May 28, the Gaza based Hamas militant group accused Israeli military to killing at three Palestinians and injuring 46 others near one of the distribution sites of the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, but the aid group has denied these allegations.

Since thousands of Palestinians had rushed to the aid centre to receive aid delivery from GHF, the Israeli military confirmed that it had fired warning shots in the area outside the compound to re-establish control.

(with inputs from Reuters)

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