Gaza continues to witness a dire humanitarian situation amid severe shortages of water, food and medicine, as newly-set aid points distribute only very limited aid and remain surrounded by dangers.
Israeli forces on Friday shot at Palestinians seeking food at a U.S.-backed distribution point in Gaza, injuring at least 20 people, Al-Jazeera reported.
A China Global Television Network (CGTN) correspondent on Friday reached the area near the intersection of the Salah al-Din Street and the Netzarim Corridor, a military buffer zone in central Gaza aimed at isolating Gaza City and northern Gaza from the rest of the enclave.
According to the correspondent, the roads in the area were almost deserted, with occasional pedestrians pulling empty carts. There was no sign that they had received supplies, and subsequent interviews with refugees also confirmed this.
"We came here today and found nothing. Yesterday, they distributed aid to some people, but today we've been here since 4:00 until 10:00 in the morning, and no one received anything. The army even opened fire on us," said Naim Hudhun, a Palestinian refugee.
"The situation is extremely dire. The price of flour is so high that people can't afford it. That's why we came from northern Gaza at risk. And as you can see, we're all going back empty-handed, without any aid," said Muti Al-Bas, another displaced Palestinian.
New aid sites fraught with danger, offer little assistance to displaced Gazans
New aid sites fraught with danger, offer little assistance to displaced Gazans
New aid sites fraught with danger, offer little assistance to displaced Gazans
The Iranian government is focusing on public concerns and maintaining stable supplies of essential goods amid recent protests, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said in a televised interview on Sunday.
In the city of Karaj, northwest of the capital Tehran, daily life has largely continued as normal. A video filmed by a local resident on Sunday shows food stores open and grocery shelves fully stocked.
"This is the block near my home, and there are some food stores here. Daily life continues here. Last night we did not see many protests in Karaj. Right now the city is very safe. This is a grocery store close to my home. All the food is available; nothing is in shortage. Here are noodles and different types of beans. Here are dairy products, cheese, and yogurt. I also checked other grocery stores and didn't see any shortages. Everything is available," said local resident Ali Reza.
Iranian officials have described recent disturbances as acts orchestrated by the "enemy," including some carried out by well-trained and armed "terrorists." The incidents have caused casualties among security personnel and civilians, as well as property damage.
The Secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council Ali Larijani has directed authorities to severely punish the "terrorists."
Meanwhile, Iran's police chief Ahmad-Reza Radan said on Sunday that the police had raised alert levels and arrested several leaders of the troublemakers during the operations on Saturday.
President Pezeshkian noted in the interview that the normal demands of the Iranian people are reasonable and justified, but they must realize that triggering riots and carrying out terrorist acts are the enemy's attempts to undermine the country. He urged the public to remain vigilant.
Also on Sunday, Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf warned that Tehran would regard U.S. and Israeli bases and facilities in the Middle East as "legitimate targets" if Washington takes military action against Iran. His remarks followed media reports saying U.S. President Donald Trump is "seriously considering authorizing a strike" against Iran.
Iranian state media reported that at least 109 members of Iran's security forces have been killed in clashes since the protests began 14 days ago. Meanwhile, human rights groups based outside the country said the number of protesters killed has exceeded 200, though the figure could not be independently verified.
The protests initially erupted over a sharp depreciation of the rial and sweeping subsidy reforms. Iranian authorities have blamed the unrest on foreign-linked agents and sanctions imposed by the United States.
Iranian president says government focusing on ensuring supplies amid protests
