By News18
The United States on Saturday accused Hamas of carrying out an attack that injured two American aid workers at a food distribution site in Gaza.
The workers were affiliated with the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), which is backed by both the US and Israel. In a statement, the organisation said both individuals were receiving medical treatment and were in stable condition.
鈥淭he attack, which preliminary information indicates was carried out by two assailants who threw two grenades at the Americans, occurred at the conclusion of an otherwise successful distribution in which thousands of Gazans safely received food,鈥 the GHF said.
US State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce attributed the incident to 鈥淗amas terrorists.鈥
鈥淭his act of violence against the people actually bringing relief to Gazans lays bare the depravity of Hamas,鈥 she said in a post on X.
鈥淕HF has contributed over 62 MILLION MEALS 鈥 nothing will stop these courageous aid workers. We are praying for the rapid recovery of the injured Americans,鈥 she added.
Earlier, the Israeli military accused 鈥渢errorist organisations鈥 of trying to disrupt aid deliveries in Gaza.
GHF began operations in Gaza in May, using private US military contractors to secure its distribution sites.
Civilian Deaths Near Aid Sites
Gaza鈥檚 health authorities said at least 70 people were killed in the last 24 hours, including 23 near aid distribution locations. The ministry did not provide further details on the circumstances of the deaths.
The Israeli military has not commented on the latest figures.
On Friday, it said its forces had killed 100 militants over the past week and that it now had 鈥渙perational control鈥 over 65 per cent of the territory, following operations in northern Gaza.
On Thursday, the Hamas-run interior ministry urged residents not to approach GHF distribution points, citing safety concerns after recent incidents.
The GHF does not coordinate with the United Nations or other traditional aid channels. The UN has criticised the US-based group, saying it lacks neutrality and impartiality.
Since Israel lifted an 11-week blockade on aid on May 19, more than 400 Palestinians have been killed while trying to access humanitarian relief, according to the UN.
A senior official said most of the deaths occurred near GHF sites.
The conflict escalated in October 2023, after Hamas attacked southern Israel, killing around 1,200 people and taking 251 hostages, according to Israeli authorities.
Gaza鈥檚 health ministry says over 57,000 Palestinians have been killed in Israel鈥檚 military response. The war has displaced nearly the entire population, created a hunger crisis, and led to allegations of war crimes and genocide, which Israel denies.