Israeli forces killed four Palestinians traveling through a military zone south of Gaza City on Sunday, the Associated Press reported, citing witnesses and the local Al-Awda hospital, BTA reports.
According to witnesses, soldiers opened fire on a crowd heading toward a food distribution point run by the Israeli-backed American organization, the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, in the Netzarim Corridor area. The incident occurred hundreds of meters from the site, at a time of an intensified Israeli army offensive in northern Gaza ahead of a planned operation to capture the enclave's largest city.
“The shooting was indiscriminate“, said Mohammed Abed, a father of two who was at the scene. Other witnesses added that the soldiers opened fire when part of the crowd moved towards the aid distribution point before its scheduled opening.
The Israeli army and the HFG have not yet commented on the incident.
Meanwhile, relatives of hostages held in Gaza protested outside the homes of Israeli ministers, calling for a ceasefire and an agreement with “Hamas“ to release the hostages. “We will not forgive any further delay. "Listen to the people: end this war and bring everyone home," the Hostage Families Forum said in a statement.
The demonstrations took place outside the homes of six cabinet members, including Defense Minister Israel Katz and Foreign Minister Gideon Saar. Another day of nationwide protests is expected on Tuesday.
Hamas accepted an adapted version of a ceasefire proposal negotiated by US special envoy Steve Witkoff on Monday. The plan includes a 60-day ceasefire, during which 10 hostages will initially be released in exchange for Palestinian prisoners. About 50 hostages are still being held in Gaza, only 20 of whom are believed to be alive.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has approved a plan to take over Gaza City, while simultaneously opening new talks with “Hamas“.