In the Gaza Strip, at least 31 individuals were killed and more than 170 were injured in an incident on Sunday as large groups moved to receive food aid, according to health officials and eyewitnesses. Witnesses claimed that Israeli forces opened fire on crowds before sunrise roughly a kilometer from an Israeli-affiliated aid center.
The Israeli military denied these allegations, stating that its forces did not target civilians around Rafah, a southern city. An Israeli military official, who chose to remain anonymous, mentioned that troops fired warning shots at various suspects who were advancing towards them overnight. Military video footage, allegedly recorded in the daylight in Khan Younis, purportedly showed armed individuals shooting at civilians attempting to gather aid. The identity of the targets remained unclear, and the video, which lacks independent verification, suggested obstruction on the part of Hamas in food distribution efforts.
The Israel and U.S.-supported Gaza Humanitarian Foundation announced that aid delivery went ahead “without incident,” also sharing a video of people gathering aid at the site. However, independent verification of this video, as well as several previous reports involving chaos around these sites, remains unavailable due to these areas being within Israeli military zones, restricting media access.
This tragic event marked the deadliest occurrence since the inception of the new aid distribution system, operational for less than a week. The International Committee of the Red Cross reported receiving 179 casualties at its Rafah field hospital, 21 of whom were declared dead on arrival. Most injuries arose from gunshots or shrapnel, though it remains unclear if any fatalities included militants. The incident prompted the head of the World Food Program, Cindy McCain, to portray the situation as a “tragedy,” emphasizing the perilous nature of aid distribution.
Philippe Lazzarini of the United Nations for Palestinian refugees echoed these sentiments, referring to the aid as a “death trap.” Subsequently, Israeli military chief of staff ordered the creation of additional aid sites and an expansion of ground operations in unspecified northern and southern Gaza locations. In the wake of numerous witness accounts suggesting Israeli troops fired on crowds seeking aid, prior incidents reportedly claimed 17 lives in similar circumstances.
Although the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation faces accusations of chaos and violence, it contends that security contractors have not fired on civilians and that the situation was handled peacefully, dismissing reports of fatalities and mass injuries. U.N. agencies criticize the new aid system, arguing it breaches humanitarian doctrines.
Prior to dawn, thousands flocked to the distribution site. As they neared, Israeli forces commanded them to disperse only to open fire when the crowd reached a nearby landmark known as the Flag Roundabout. Eyewitnesses reported gunfire from naval and aerial provisions, as well as tanks, describing the ensuing scene as “horrible.” Medical officials from Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis documented numerous injuries, primarily targeting the upper body, which composed mostly of male casualties, diverging from previous trends of mainly women and children.
Amid escalating tensions and gunfire, witnesses like Mohamed Abu Teaima recounted the loss of family members and emphasized the unimaginable hostilities faced by those merely trying to collect aid. The tragic incident fueled distress across the community, with many voicing frustrations over the humiliating circumstances surrounding their desperate efforts for food sustenance.
Later Sunday, artillery shells reportedly struck tents in Khan Younis sheltering displaced individuals, resulting in additional casualties. The events fueled the broader discussion on the aid system under Israel’s influence, which allegedly facilitates control over aid recipients, heightening displacement risks. Accusations remain concerning Hamas diverting assistance, which Israel claims justify its restrictive measures.
As representatives from Qatar and Egypt strive toward ceasefire agreements to resolve tensions following the conflict initiated in October 2023, efforts remain mired in diplomatic disagreements. The ongoing violence since the initial chaos has devastated entire areas, displacing populations and leaving them reliant on international aid, amidst dire warnings of potential famine without significant intervention.