Behind the Lines: Gaza Doctor Unveils Daily Patterns of Israeli Shootings at GHF Sites Amid Ongoing Conflict

Sure! Here’s a rephrased version of the content with added context:

In a poignant account shared with Al Jazeera, an American pediatrician who recently volunteered in Gaza has alleged that the injuries sustained by Palestinian aid seekers at locations operated by the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF) indicate a troubling pattern of deliberate targeting by Israeli forces. Speaking from Amman, Jordan, on Tuesday after returning from a two-and-a-half-week stint at Al-Aqsa Hospital in Deir el-Balah and al-Shifa Hospital in Gaza City, Dr. Ahmed Yousaf highlighted the alarming frequency of “mass casualty incidents” attributed to gunfire at GHF food distribution points.

Dr. Yousaf observed that many boys and young men presented with remarkably similar types of injuries on specific days. For instance, he noted, “On Mondays, we might have dozens of patients shot in the legs or pelvic area, and on other days, it was more focused on the upper body or head injuries.” He expressed his concern that the patterns seemed indicative of a calculated approach by those behind the weapons: “It felt as if there was a conscious decision made to inflict harm in a methodical manner.”

The pediatrician remarked that these incidents were age-neutral, affecting boys and young men primarily because they often ventured out to secure food for their families amid the ongoing crisis. He described the distribution sites as perilous environments, where the aid seekers were often fired upon indiscriminately. “It was as if they were being sprayed with bullets,” he said, stressing a clear and ominous pattern of fire.

Yousaf characterized the entire situation in Gaza as a “death trap,” suggesting a grim reality where civilians seem to be marked for violence. He noted that on days when Palestinians refrained from visiting GHF sites—often due to increased aid truck access—air attacks intensified, leading to a shift in the nature of injuries from gunshot wounds to bomb-related casualties, impacting not just young males but women, children, and the elderly as well.

Describing the situation as akin to “genocide,” he expressed frustration over the Israeli authorities’ obstruction of medical supplies and baby formula during his team’s border screenings. “Many essential items were confiscated—vitamins, antibiotics, and stethoscopes—which left us powerless to help those in desperate need,” he lamented.

Dr. Yousaf’s testimony aligns with concerns raised by organizations like Doctors Without Borders and Human Rights Watch, who have decried the situation as a severe violation of international law and a humanitarian crisis. On a particularly harrowing day, reports emerged of at least 19 aid seekers fatally shot at GHF locations, further raising alarm over the toll taken on Palestinian civilians—officially totaling 1,838 killed and over 13,000 injured since GHF’s aid operations commenced in late May. Both Israeli and GHF officials have denied these allegations, but the doctor’s stark observations paint a chilling portrait of life under siege in Gaza.

This version emphasizes key themes while situating the context in a contemporary narrative.