BREAKING: At Least 24 Palestinians Killed Near Gaza Aid Distribution Site
At least 24 Palestinians were killed and dozens more injured on Tuesday morning when Israeli forces opened fire near a humanitarian aid distribution center in Rafah, located in the southern Gaza Strip, according to Gaza’s Hamas-run Ministry of Health .
Incident Details
The fatalities occurred as civilians gathered to collect food and essential supplies amid ongoing shortages. The Gaza Health Ministry reported that the victims were waiting near an aid distribution point when the shooting happened .
The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) stated that troops fired upon individuals who had deviated from designated access routes and approached military positions in a threatening manner. The IDF claimed that warning shots were issued before escalating to live fire when the individuals did not retreat .
Humanitarian Concerns
The incident has intensified scrutiny over the safety and effectiveness of aid distribution mechanisms in Gaza. The Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), responsible for coordinating aid deliveries, reported no incidents within the aid distribution site itself during this event .
UNRWA Commissioner-General Philippe Lazzarini condemned the current aid delivery system, describing it as a “deadly trap” and urging for the lifting of blockades to allow unrestricted humanitarian access .
Ongoing Conflict
This tragedy adds to the mounting civilian toll in Gaza amid the ongoing conflict. Since the escalation began following Hamas’s attack on October 7, 2023, over 54,000 Palestinians have reportedly been killed, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry .
The international community continues to call for immediate measures to protect civilians and ensure the safe delivery of humanitarian aid in the region.