Israeli leaders, allies decry Hamas attacks on civilians

U.S. Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee released a statement on Monday slamming several American news outlets for falsely reporting that Israel shot Palestinians seeking aid on Sunday. Reckless and irresponsible reporting fed the anti-Semitic climate that caused an attempted murder and terror attack on a group of pro-Israel demonstrators in Colorado yesterday, Huckabee said. Numerous outlets reported that Israeli forces fired on a crowd of civilians gathered outside an aid distribution site on Sunday morning in southern Rafah. Citing local leaders and witnesses, the news media said that over 30 people were killed and 150 were injured.

UN Security-General António Guterres condemned the alleged attack in a Monday morning statement and called for an independent investigation. Israel must allow aid to enter Gaza unencumbered as international humanitarian law demands, he said. Guterres ended by calling for an immediate and permanent ceasefire in the region and an unconditional release of hostages held by Hamas.

What really happened? Initial investigation by the Israel Defense Forces found that IDF gunmen did not fire at civilians near or around humanitarian distribution sites, according to a Sunday statement from the military. The IDF is working with the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation to get resources to civilians, the statement continued. The IDF ended by cautioning media outlets about publishing reports from Hamas. The military also released drone footage on Sunday afternoon showing Hamas gunmen shooting at civilians collecting aid. Terrorists are doing all they can to stop aid from being successfully distributed into Gaza, according to the statement.

IDF spokesman Effie Defrin released an update on Sunday about aid distribution in Gaza, saying the IDF opened four distribution centers and planned to open more. Israel has already distributed over 16,000 packs of food to civilians, and aid trucks have entered the region, he said. Defrin also urged the public to stop automatically believing rumors and spreading Hamas’ lies. The terror group is using violence to stop people from reaching aid distribution centers, the spokesman said, adding that Israel planned to investigate every emerging rumor.

Dig deeper: Read Lauren Canterberry’s report for more about the latest anti-Semitic attack in Colorado.