In Rafah, Gaza Strip, tension escalated as Israeli forces engaged with individuals approaching an aid distribution point on Tuesday. The Palestinian health authorities and eyewitnesses report that at least 27 people were killed in the incident, marking the third consecutive day of such confrontations. The Israeli military asserted that the gunfire was directed “near a few individual suspects” who deviated from a specified route, closed in on their soldiers, and disregarded warning shots.
This recent pattern of violence follows the establishment of aid distribution centers within Israeli military zones. This initiative, backed by Israel and the U.S., is purportedly intended to sidestep Hamas. However, the United Nations has denounced the procedure, claiming it fails to sufficiently address the severe food shortage in Gaza and effectively enables Israel to politicize humanitarian aid.
An Israeli army spokesperson, Effie Defrin, stated that their actions aim to deter potential threats and maintained that the army is not hindering Palestinian access to aid in the designated areas. The Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), which oversees these sites, insists there has been no aggression near the distribution zones. Still, they acknowledged the military is investigating the occurrence of civilian injuries “beyond the designated safe corridor.”
A GHF representative expressed sorrow over the reported casualties among civilians straying beyond the protected route. Most of Gaza’s approximately 2 million residents depend almost entirely on international aid, especially after an Israeli offensive devastated local food production capacities. While Israel had blockaded supplies into Gaza since March, restricted aid started entering again after international pressure and famine warnings.
Witnesses recount that all shooting incidents took place at the Flag Roundabout, near one of GHF’s distribution sites in the now-empty southern city of Rafah, an area off-limits to journalists unless approved by the military. Yasser Abu Lubda, who was displaced from Rafah, described how the gunfire began early in the morning on Tuesday, adding that he saw multiple individuals killed or wounded.
Neima al-Aaraj of Khan Younis remarked that the Israeli gunfire seemed “indiscriminate,” leaving no aid available once she reached the site. She concluded, “Either way we will die.” Another witness, Rasha al-Nahal, observed gunfire from every direction and counted over a dozen fatalities and several injuries along her path. She lamented that death felt preferable to the indignity of begging for aid.
The Gaza Health Ministry reported a death toll of at least 27 on Tuesday. The Red Cross confirmed using its field hospital in Rafah to treat 184 injured individuals, 19 of whom were declared dead on arrival, and eight more succumbed to their injuries later. Three children and two women were among the deceased, with most patients suffering from gunshot wounds, as noted by hospital staff.
The sight at the Red Cross hospital was tragic, with wounded people transported by ambulances and many returning from aid centers empty-handed. Blood-stained flour bags piled up outside. A U.N. human rights representative confirmed the death toll and highlighted the grim choices faced by Palestinians—risk starvation or danger to access scant food supplies amidst a militarized aid distribution.
GHF reported distributing 21 truckloads of food at Rafah, though its other locations remained closed. This distribution contrasts with the hundreds of aid trucks entering Gaza daily during a previous ceasefire period.
Meanwhile, Israel disclosed the deaths of three soldiers in northern Gaza during a deadly encounter, marking a significant toll since the ceasefire’s end with Hamas. Israeli forces have reportedly suffered over 800 fatalities since the onset of the conflict, with large casualties on both sides.
Furthermore, tensions spread as rockets were launched from Syria targeting areas in the Golan Heights annexed by Israel. This marked the first attack from Syrian territory since the fall of Bashar Assad. Israel’s defense ministry has indicated they hold Syrian leadership accountable, promising a prompt and full response.