Gazan medics: At least 15 Palestinians killed by Israeli fire near aid center; no comment from IDF

Medics at Al-Awda and Al-Aqsa Hospitals in central Gaza areas say at least 15 people were killed by Israeli fire as they tried to approach the Israeli- and US-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation aid distribution site near the Netzarim corridor.

The toll cannot be independently verified. There is no immediate comment from the IDF or the GHF.

The Hamas-run Gaza Health Ministry says in a statement that at least 274 people have so far been killed, and more than 2,000 wounded, near aid distribution sites since the GHF began operations in the Strip.

It is unclear at what time the reported shooting near the Netzarim Corridor took place. Earlier this month, the IDF warned Palestinians not to approach routes leading to Gaza Humanitarian Foundation sites between 6 p.m. and 6 a.m. local time, describing these roads as closed military zones. However, the GHF has indicated it may be open during those hours.

The GHF has faced heavy scrutiny from other aid bodies, as well as the UN and foreign countries, which say that it does not sufficiently address the humanitarian needs in the war-torn Palestinian enclave.

Critics have also accused GHF of putting aid seekers in harm’s way, with operations beset by deadly incidents for multiple days in a row.

Israel says the mechanism is required to keep aid out of the hands of Hamas.