DEIR AL BALAH, Gaza Strip – On Saturday, Israeli troops opened fire on crowds of Palestinians seeking food from distribution hubs operated by the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), a U.S.- and Israeli-backed organization. Eyewitnesses and hospital officials reported at least 32 fatalities during these incidents, which occurred primarily near a GHF hub close to Khan Younis, approximately 3 kilometers (2 miles) away from the target site.
GHF began its operations in May, aiming to replace the United Nations-led aid distribution in Gaza due to allegations that Hamas militants divert supplies intended for civilians. While the GHF claims to have delivered millions of meals to those in need, numerous local health officials indicate that Israeli military gunfire has resulted in hundreds of deaths as people attempt to access these aid centers. Critically, GHF’s distribution centers are located in areas controlled by the Israeli military, which oversees these locations from a distance.
On the morning of the incident, the Israeli army stated it fired warning shots near Rafah after a group approached troops and disregarded orders to maintain a safe distance. This declaration specified that the shooting occurred overnight, when the hubs were not operational. Meanwhile, GHF reported that no incidents transpired at or near its facilities and reiterated its long-standing warnings to aid seekers against traveling to these locations during nighttime hours.
Witnesses described the scene during the fatal shooting, with many Palestinians gathering for food aid. Mahmoud Mokeimar recounted seeing soldiers firing indiscriminately into the crowd, leading to chaos as people fled in panic. Akram Aker confirmed that troops used machine guns mounted on tanks and drones between 5 a.m. and 6 a.m., creating a dangerous environment for individuals seeking assistance. Eyewitness Sanaa al-Jaberi expressed her despair, questioning whether the search for food would lead to death instead.
Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis reported receiving 25 bodies, alongside numerous wounded individuals, many of whom sustained serious injuries to vital areas such as the head and chest. Dr. Mohamed Saker, head of nursing at the hospital, described the dire situation, noting a severe lack of medical supplies and the necessity for some wounded patients, including children, to be treated on the floor.
In addition to the casualties associated with the food distribution incident, airstrikes across various regions of Gaza resulted in the deaths of at least 12 individuals, including families in a displacement camp and police officials. Israeli military strikes reportedly targeted numerous locations, resulting in more casualties, including young children and women.
The ongoing conflict has placed Gaza's population of over 2 million Palestinians in a catastrophic humanitarian crisis. Reports indicate chaotic scenes during aid distribution events, where people rush to claim what little food is available amidst the turmoil.
This recent violence erupted after Hamas's initial offensive into southern Israel on October 7, 2023, leading to approximately 1,200 Israeli deaths and 251 hostages taken. In response, Israel has launched an extensive military operation, which the Gaza Health Ministry claims has led to more than 58,000 Palestinian deaths, disproportionately affecting women and children. Though Israel and Hamas are reportedly engaged in ceasefire negotiations in Qatar, mediators indicate that progress has been limited.
On a related note, escalating violence against Palestinian Christians in the occupied West Bank has drawn condemnation from high-profile figures, including U.S. Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee, who criticized a recent arson attack on a church as an act of terror. As settler violence continues to rise, many Palestinians assert that Israeli security forces are failing to intervene effectively.
The ongoing unrest has prompted thousands to demand an end to the violence, with calls for the release of hostages and a critical reassessment of humanitarian efforts in the region.
