*** US-backed group extends closure of Gaza aid sites | THE DAILY TRIBUNE | KINGDOM OF BAHRAIN

US-backed group extends closure of Gaza aid sites

AFP | Gaza

Email : editor@newsofbahrain.com

A US- and Israeli-backed group operating aid sites in Gaza pushed back the reopening of its facilites set for yesterday, as the Israeli army warned that roads leading to distribution centres were “considered combat zones”.

The Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF) closed its aid distribution centres after a string of deadly incidents near sites it operates that drew sharp condemnation from the United Nations.

Israeli bombardment on Wednesday killed at least 48 people across the Gaza Strip, including 14 in a single strike on a tent sheltering displaced people, the civil defence agency said.

A day earlier, the civil defence and the International Committee of the Red Cross said 27 people were killed when Israeli troops opened fire near a GHF site in southern Gaza. The military said the incident was under investigation.

Britain called for an “immediate and independent investigation”, echoing a demand from UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres.

UK Middle East Minister Hamish Falconer said the deaths of Palestinians as they sought food were “deeply disturbing”, calling Israel’s new measures for aid delivery “inhumane”.

Israel recently eased its blockade of Gaza, but the United Nations says the territory’s entire population remains at risk of famine.

UN vote

The GHF originally said it was closing aid distribution sites in Gaza on Wednesday for “renovation” and that they would reopen yesterday.

But the group said late Wednesday that its facilities would not open at the regular time yesterday, without clarifying when they would resume service.

“Our distribution sites will not open early tomorrow morning as in previous days due to ongoing maintenance and repair work,” it wrote on social media.

“We will share information about opening times as soon as work is complete.”

The Israeli army warned against travelling “on roads leading to the distribution centres, which are considered combat zones”.

The GHF said it was working to made aid distribution “as safe as possible” and urged those travelling to its sites to “follow the routes designated” by the Israeli army.

The GHF, officially a private effort with opaque funding, began operations a week ago. The UN and major aid groups have declined to work with it, citing concerns it serves Israeli military goals.