In a tragic escalation of violence, Israeli forces have reportedly killed at least 51 Palestinians and wounded over 200 others in southern Gaza. The incident occurred near an aid distribution site in Khan Younis on Tuesday, according to witnesses and medical rescuers. This marks the latest in a series of deadly confrontations near humanitarian aid sites in Gaza, raising further concerns over the safety and efficacy of the international aid efforts in the region.
The Hamas-run civil defense agency confirmed that Israeli troops opened fire on a crowd that had gathered in hopes of receiving flour and other food supplies from a World Food Programme (WFP) site. The crowd, estimated to be in the thousands, was awaiting aid near a key road junction east of Khan Younis, an area that has seen ongoing Israeli military operations.
Eyewitnesses, including local journalists, reported that Israeli drones fired two missiles into the crowd, followed shortly by tank fire from a position 400 to 500 meters away. The shelling caused massive casualties. “Israeli drones fired at the citizens. Some minutes later, Israeli tanks fired several shells at the citizens, which led to a large number of martyrs and wounded,” Gaza’s civil defense spokesperson Mahmud Bassal told AFP.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has confirmed the mass casualty event, with trauma surgeon Thanos Gargavanis noting the trend of increasing gunshot wounds associated with food distribution efforts. “There’s a constant correlation with the positions of the announced food distribution sites and the mass casualty incidents,” Gargavanis said. In recent days, nearly all casualties in Gaza have been tied to aid distribution rather than Israeli airstrikes targeting Hamas positions.
The main medical facility in Khan Younis, Nasser Hospital, is currently overwhelmed. Medical staff have been forced to treat the injured on the floor, as the hospital struggles to accommodate the high volume of casualties. Nasser Hospital’s director has raised concerns about its ability to continue functioning under the extreme pressure of ongoing violence and shortages of medical supplies.
Israeli forces have responded by stating that they fired on the crowd after it approached a stuck aid distribution truck near their operating positions. “A gathering was identified adjacent to an aid distribution truck…and in proximity to IDF troops operating in the area,” the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) said in a statement. They have promised an internal review of the incident.
This latest attack follows a pattern of almost daily shootings near aid distribution points in Gaza, where increasingly desperate Palestinians gather to receive food and medical supplies. International organisations, including the United Nations, have expressed concern over the mounting death toll, with UN human rights chief Volker Turk calling for a full investigation into the use of force by Israeli troops.
As the humanitarian situation in Gaza grows more dire, medical staff continue to warn that the influx of wounded civilians, combined with insufficient medical resources and the collapse of the healthcare infrastructure, may lead to further tragedies.
Aid Distribution in Crisis
The Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), an organisation supported by Israel and the US, has faced criticism for the way its aid distribution systems are operating. Although the foundation has denied direct responsibility for the violence, the placement of distribution sites in areas heavily affected by Israeli military operations has led to unmanageable crowds and deadly clashes. Despite these dangers, the GHF and other aid organisations have been unable to stem the tide of violence, as civilians scramble for access to increasingly scarce resources.
The situation has grown even more perilous due to looting by criminal groups, militias, and Hamas operatives, further complicating efforts to secure aid and keep the peace in Gaza. International organisations like the UN and the WHO have continually called for better management of these aid efforts, but tensions remain high, with no clear solutions in sight.
The violence marks the latest chapter in an ongoing conflict that began with Israel’s military response to the Hamas-led cross-border attacks in October 2023. Since then, over 55,000 Palestinians have been killed in Gaza, and many others remain displaced or injured.
Conclusion: A Humanitarian Crisis Unfolds
As Israel’s military operations continue, and with the international community’s response largely centered on calls for investigations and condemnations, the humanitarian crisis in Gaza intensifies. Thousands of Palestinians remain at the mercy of a broken aid distribution system, risking their lives to obtain vital supplies. With no end in sight, the ongoing violence is raising serious questions about the future of aid efforts and the possibility of a long-term resolution to the conflict.
