In a tragic turn of events, six Palestinians have been reported killed and several others injured due to Israeli gunfire in southern Gaza near an aid distribution center, as per the Hamas-run Civil Defence agency. The incident unfolded on Saturday morning when a crowd had gathered to receive food supplies. Eyewitness accounts indicate that the shooting commenced as people moved towards the site, while the Israeli military contended that they fired warning shots at individuals approaching them in a threatening manner.
This deadly occurrence adds to the growing toll of over dozens of Palestinians killed and hundreds wounded while attempting to reach the distribution site this week. The US and Israeli-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), which oversees the aid center, announced it has halted operations to address overcrowding and enhance safety protocols after days of escalating violence. Despite this, individuals continue to converge daily at a roundabout on the edge of an Israeli military zone necessary to access the aid.
The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) affirmed that they had conveyed to Gazans the area’s designation as an active combat zone during nighttime. The GHF has been unable to distribute aid on some days, citing threats from Hamas, a claim that Hamas has denied. This situation is likely to amplify international scrutiny regarding the new aid distribution model being employed.
Alongside the fatalities at the aid center, Civil Defence spokesperson Mahmoud Basal provided information about at least 15 additional deaths attributed to Israeli air strikes targeting a residential home in Gaza City, indicating that several individuals remain trapped under rubble. The Israeli army maintained that the strikes were necessary to eliminate a head of a Palestinian militant group, accused of participating in deadly attacks against civilians.
The newly introduced aid model in Gaza, intended to bypass the United Nations—accused by Israel of inadequately preventing Hamas from appropriating aid—has drawn wide criticism from humanitarian organizations, which argue that it compromises the safety and well-being of vulnerable populations. The recent escalation follows a long-standing military campaign initiated by Israel in reaction to a Hamas-led attack that caused substantial casualties. According to Gaza’s health ministry, the ongoing conflict has resulted in over 54,677 deaths in the territory to date.
