The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) have started an investigation into possible war crimes. This decision comes after new reports suggested that Israeli troops may have opened fire on Palestinians trying to collect food in Gaza.

According to the Israeli newspaper Haaretz, some anonymous soldiers said they were told to shoot at crowds near aid centres. These orders, they claimed, were meant to keep civilians away from Israeli military positions. However, the soldiers also said they felt uneasy about shooting at people who looked harmless.

Many Civilians Killed Near Aid Centres

Meanwhile, hundreds of Palestinians, including children, have died in recent weeks. They were trying to get food from distribution centres after Israel's months-long blockade. The blockade had cut off food and humanitarian supplies to Gaza. Most of the deaths happened near centres managed by the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), which is supported by both the US and Israel.

IDF and Government Reject the Claims

In response, the IDF denied the accusations. It said, "no forces had been ordered ‘to deliberately shoot at civilians, including those approaching the distribution centres’." The IDF added, “To be clear, IDF directives prohibit deliberate attacks on civilians.”

Later, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defence Minister Israel Katz also dismissed the claims. In a joint statement, they said the Haaretz report included “malicious falsehoods designed to defame the IDF, the most moral military in the world.”

UN Faces Roadblocks in Aid Delivery

Since Israel partially eased the blockade last month, the United Nations has tried to deliver aid. However, the mission has faced serious obstacles. For example, airstrikes continue, roads remain damaged, and Israeli military rules limit movement. In addition, lawlessness has increased. As a result, armed groups and hungry civilians have looted hundreds of aid trucks.

Airstrike Kills 18 Distributing Flour

On Thursday, an Israeli airstrike hit Deir al-Balah. According to medical workers, the strike killed 18 people. It targeted Palestinian police officers who were handing out flour in a crowded market.