At least five aid workers have been killed and several others wounded in a deadly attack on a bus in southern Gaza, according to the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), a United States and Israel-backed organisation established.
The attack occurred on Wednesday night as a bus carrying more than two dozen Palestinian staff was en route to a food distribution centre west of Khan Younis.
In a statement, GHF described the incident as a “brutal” assault, accusing Hamas of targeting its team.
“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,” the organisation said.
GHF, which had previously warned of threats from Hamas, condemned the violence in unequivocal terms. “We condemn this heinous and deliberate attack in the strongest possible terms. These were aid workers. Humanitarians, brothers, sons, and friends, who were risking their lives every day to help others,” the foundation said.
“Our hearts are broken and our thoughts and prayers are with every victim, every family, and every person still unaccounted for.”
Dr David Adler, former president of the Australian Jewish Association (AJA), accused Hamas of deliberately targeting aid workers, “Aid is an economic and strategic asset of Hamas and the control is threatened by Israel and US.”
“The Australian Labor government stands firmly with the murderers, and against Israel and US.”
The foundation noted that the attack followed several days of public threats from Hamas against its workers. “This did not happen in a vacuum,” GHF said.
“For days, Hamas has openly threatened our team, our aid workers, and the civilians who receive aid from us. These threats were met with silence.”
“Tonight the world must see this for what it is: an attack on humanity,” the statement added. “We call on the international community to immediately condemn Hamas for this unprovoked attack and continued threat against our people simply trying to feed the Palestinian people.”
Last week on Saturday, GHF had reported it was unable to distribute aid in parts of Gaza due to escalating threats from Hamas.
Earlier this week, a statement on Hamas-linked media claimed the group has “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.”
“All agents, thieves, and armed criminal gangs are considered legitimate targets for the resistance and its security apparatus.”
Hamas has not yet responded to the latest allegations.
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