Palestinians push a cart carrying bodies after Israeli military gunfire near a food distribution center in Rafah, southern Gaza Strip, June 1, 2025. (Photo by AFP)
Geneva, June 10 (RHC)-- The Euro-Mediterranean Human Rights Monitor says the Israeli regime has recruited a local gang and foreign mercenaries affiliated to a private US “security company” to kill Palestinians near aid distribution centers and create chaos in Gaza.
Citing its field team, the group said in a statement on Monday Israeli forces and members of an armed gang operating under its direction opened fire directly on hundreds of civilians as they attempted to reach an aid distribution point established by the regime west of Rafah. They killed at least 14 people and injured dozens more.
The field team, based on testimonies of a dozen of eyewitnesses, said the gunmen were wearing military uniforms bearing the logo of the so-called "Palestinian Counter-Terrorism Service", an armed gang established by Yasser Abu Shabab and affiliated with Daesh terrorist group.
According to the report, the armed gang is operating under the direction of the Israeli military and based in areas under its control.
Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu has admitted that the regime has been arming and supporting a gang associated with Daesh in the besieged Gaza Strip to "counter the Palestinian resistance movement Hamas."
Meanwhile, the Euro-Mediterranean Human Rights Monitor said a foreign mercenary working for the American firm overseeing the aid distribution center also shot killed a Palestinian aid recipient.
The group said the members of the US company are provided with weapons by the Israeli military and take part in attacks on the Palestinians. “The participation of foreign fighters in hostilities outside their territory, on behalf of a foreign military party, may amount to their being described as ‘mercenaries’,” it said.
The statement said Israel, as the occupying power, is “legally responsible” for the actions of the "Abu Shabab Gang" and the foreign mercenaries, as their actions are based on directions from the Israeli military or in coordination with it.
The group urged the international community to hold those responsible for these crimes accountable.
“All countries are required to assume their legal responsibilities and take urgent action to stop the crime of genocide in the Gaza Strip through all their actions,” the statement said, calling for the international community to impose sanctions on Israel.
Israel launched the campaign of genocide in Gaza on October 7, 2023. It has killed at least 54,927 Palestinians there so far, according to the health ministry of Gaza.
[ SOURCE: AFP and NEWS AGENCIES ]
