The US and Israel backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF) has accused militant group Hamas of attacking a bus on Wednesday which was carrying Palestinians working with the organization, leading to the death of at least five aid workers and several remain wounded.
Hamas has, till now, not claimed responsibility for the attack. The Gaza Humanitarian Foundation has claimed that the bus was carrying more than two dozen of its members when it was attacked by Hamas militants at about 10pm (local time) on Wednesday.
The GHF, in a statement said “We are still gathering facts, but what we know is devastating: there are at least five fatalities, multiple injuries, and fear that some of our team members may have been taken hostage,” CNN reported.
The aid group said that its members were en route to visit a distribution center in the west of Khan Younis. “We condemn this heinous and deliberate attack in the strongest possible terms,” GHF added in its statement. It also accused Hamas of threatening the group in recent days.
Hamas had earlier said, they have “full authority and mandate to strike decisively against any entity or individual collaborating with the enemy’s plans or with any rogue, criminal, or traitorous elements that violate the law and the traditions of our people.”
The GHF started distributing aid in Gaza last month after a blockade on any form of aid supply to Palestine by Israel imposed in March. The United Nations had expressed concern over the deteriorating situation in Gaza due to lack of aid supply, and had warned that the region could slip into famine.
Since GHF began its operation, several Palestinians have been killed by gunfire near the aid center. The aid group was established amid allegations by Israel that Hamas was stealing aid in Gaza and earning profits by selling it.
(with inputs from CNN)
