The sounds of sorrow filled the Nasser Hospital in southern Gaza as the community gathered to pay their respects to Hossam Wafi, a devoted father of six who lost his life while trying to secure essential supplies for his family.
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His mother, Nahla Wafi, wept inconsolably over her son, who was one of 31 casualties resulting from Israeli gunfire while attempting to reach a food distribution site the previous day. “He went to get food for his daughters,” she lamented, “and came back dead.” Tragically, Nahla had already faced the heart-wrenching loss of two sons and a nephew to yesterday’s violence.
The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) reported receiving 179 cases following the gunfire near the GHF (Gaza Humanitarian Foundation) location.
Hossam had traveled alongside his brother and nephew to a newly opened distribution center in the southern city of Rafah, determined to provide for his family in a time of desperate need.
The humanitarian crisis in Gaza has drawn increasing international criticism towards Israel, especially as the United Nations warns of an impending famine that threatens the entire population. The haunting phrase, “Go there and get bombed,” echoes the sentiments of many caught in this tragic cycle of violence.
Yesterday, the ICRC’s field hospital in Rafah received 179 individuals, including 21 who were declared dead on arrival. The wounded reported that they were attempting to reach the aid distribution site, with many suffering from gunshot wounds or shrapnel injuries.
However, Israeli authorities, along with the GHF—backed by U.S. and Israeli interests—denied any such incidents. Instead, the Israeli military claimed that soldiers had fired “warning shots” at individuals approaching the distribution site from a kilometer away before dawn.
A witness recounted to AFP that thousands gathered at the Al-Alam junction between 2 a.m. and 4 a.m. local time, hoping to access the distribution center. At Nasser Hospital, Hossam Wafi’s young daughters called for their father, their innocence striking as they kissed the body wrapped in a white shroud before it was taken away.
Outside, dozens of men stood silently, praying over Hossam’s body, their grief palpable. One individual held the father’s face, tears streaming down, before he was gently pulled away. Hossam’s uncle, Ali Wafi, expressed his anger: “They go there and get bombed—airstrikes, tanks, shelling—all for a piece of bread,” he stated. “He went for a bite of bread, not for anything else. What was he supposed to do? He had to feed his little kids. And the result? He’s getting buried today.” His words resonate deeply, encapsulating the tragedy faced by countless families in similarly dire circumstances.
The recent killings in Rafah constitute one of two deadly incidents reported by Gaza’s civil defense agency around GHF centers, which the UN has stated violate fundamental humanitarian tenets and appear to further Israeli military objectives.
Similar chaotic scenes and warning shots have been reported at these distribution sites over the past week. The UN’s humanitarian agency (OCHA) even released footage showing long queues at a central Gaza distribution site, where people gathered in makeshift corrals to receive flour amidst an arid landscape.
These distribution sites are marked by security measures, with guards in armored vehicles overseeing the proceedings. Palestinians leaving the area often carry cardboard boxes, some emblazoned with the “GHF” logo, along with wooden pallets likely intended for fuel or temporary shelter.
In the crowded vicinity, frustrations rose among those awaiting aid, with instances of pushing and complaints about stolen food packages surfacing. Hossam’s uncle, Ali, shared a heartfelt wish for safety and accessibility in aid for Gaza’s people: “People take the risk to reach the distribution site, just so they can survive.” His statement serves as a somber reminder of the lengths individuals will go to secure basic necessities in the face of overwhelming adversity.
Edited By Ali Musa
Axadle Times International – Monitoring.
