The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said it targeted several armed Palestinians, including Hamas members, who were spotted close to humanitarian aid trucks in Gaza.
In response to a query by The Times of Israel, the IDF said that it had targeted the gunmen after identifying them near the trucks, adding “the aid was not hit as a result of the strike.”
It did not clarify how some of the armed operatives were identified as Hamas members.
Hamas Claims Six Fatalities
Meanwhile, Hamas told the newspaper that the targeted gunmen were ‘members of the aid security and protection teams… who were performing purely humanitarian tasks’.
The group claimed six people were killed in the incident.
IDF told The Times of Israel that it will allow humanitarian aid to reach the Gaza Strip.
However, the army said it will ensure the humanitarian aid does not reach terrorist organisations.
“This is another example of the cynical use by terror organisations in the Gaza Strip of civilians and humanitarian aid infrastructure that enters the area. The IDF will allow humanitarian aid in the Gaza Strip, while making every effort to ensure that the humanitarian aid does not reach terror organisations,” the IDF told The Times of Israel.
UN’s Aid Plan For Gaza
The UN Secretary-General on Friday outlined a five-stage plan to provide lifesaving aid to the stricken population of Gaza, making clear the organisation will not take part in any scheme that fails to respect international law or basic humanitarian principles.
Addressing reporters outside the Security Council, António Guterres called once again for a permanent ceasefire to end the fighting between Israeli forces and Hamas militants, the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages and full humanitarian access so aid can flow in following nearly 80 days of Israeli blockade.
‘Cruellest Phase’
He said Palestinians in the enclave are now “enduring what may be the cruellest phase of this cruel conflict,” with families being “starved and denied the very basics,” as Israel intensifies its offensive and promotes a new privatised aid distribution network reportedly due to begin on Sunday which would bypass the UN and partner organizations’ aid operation.
Israel has clear obligations under international humanitarian law to treat civilians in Gaza humanely, Guterres added, and “must not forcibly transport, deport or displace the civilian population of an occupied territory.”
He noted that despite authorising a “trickle of aid” to enter in recent days, supplies from only 115 out of 400 trucks have been cleared for collection and distribution – while nothing has reached the besieged north.
(With inputs from IBNS)
