What to Know About the Deadly Shootings Near a Gaza Aid Site

Chaos, confusion and dozens of shooting deaths have marred the first weeks of operations for a contentious new aid distribution system in Gaza.

On Wednesday, health officials and emergency workers in Gaza said at least several people had been killed and dozens injured in shootings near the Netzarim Corridor in central Gaza, where an Israeli-backed humanitarian aid center has been set up since the end of May.

The Israeli military said its forces had fired warning shots in the area before dawn, toward people they considered a threat. It denied reports that soldiers had also opened fire on civilians there during daylight hours.

Thousands of desperate and hungry Palestinians are coming to the new aid sites early each morning, hoping to obtain food. The Israeli-backed system is staffed by American private contractors, who oversee the distribution of cardboard boxes of aid.

The United Nations and many humanitarian organizations are boycotting the endeavor, run by the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, criticizing its lack of independence from Israel. The U.N. and humanitarian organizations have warned that aid seekers could face danger from the Israeli military as they sought food and other aid.

Here is what to know about the situation.