On Monday morning in Khan Younis, Gaza Strip, Israeli forces opened fire on individuals approaching an aid distribution site, resulting in the deaths of at least three people and injuring dozens more, according to health officials and eyewitness accounts. The Israeli military claimed to have fired warning shots at "suspects" who were perceived as threats to their safety, around a kilometer from the aid hub run by the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, which is backed by the U.S. and Israel.
This incident follows a similar occurrence on Sunday, where at least 31 people were killed and over 170 were wounded as large crowds attempted to reach the aid site. Witnesses indicated that Israeli forces began firing at approximately 3 a.m. after directing people to disperse and return once the aid distribution began. The military, however, denied targeting civilians near the aid site, which is situated in the largely uninhabited southern city of Rafah, claiming the area is a military zone.
The Israeli military provided a statement indicating that its troops had fired warning shots at individuals approaching them, while also asserting that they were not obstructing access to the aid site. In contrast, the United Nations and major humanitarian organizations have criticized the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation's system for aid distribution, citing concerns that it violates humanitarian principles and fails to cater to the growing needs of Gaza's 2 million residents. Many have warned of impending famine due to the Israeli blockade, which was marginally lifted only last month.
In another tragic event on Monday, an Israeli airstrike on a residential building in northern Gaza killed 14 people, inclusive of five women and seven children, according to health officials. The strike took place in the densely populated Jabaliya refugee camp. The Israeli military characterized the attack as targeting "terrorist sites," asserting that it endeavors to avoid civilian casualties while placing the blame for such losses on Hamas, claiming they operate within civilian neighborhoods.
Additionally, the Palestinian Authority reported that a 14-year-old boy was killed by Israeli forces in the Sinjil village located in the West Bank. The Israeli military stated that their troops opened fire to "neutralize" an individual throwing bottles containing hazardous materials at them.
The aftermath of the shooting in southern Gaza left a Red Cross field hospital overwhelmed, receiving 50 injured individuals, two of whom were declared dead on arrival. Moataz al-Feirani, a 21-year-old among the injured, described the scene, stating he was shot in the leg while walking with thousands toward the aid distribution site. He highlighted the desperation of the crowd and noted the presence of drones filming them as they approached.
On Sunday night, the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation announced that aid recipients must adhere to designated routes to access the distribution hubs, as Israeli troops were stationed along the path for their security. They issued a warning that straying from the path was extremely perilous. U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres expressed his horror at the reports of Palestinians being killed while seeking aid and called for an independent investigation into the events that transpired.
Since the onset of the Israel-Hamas conflict on October 7, 2023, more than 54,000 Palestinians—predominantly women and children—have reportedly lost their lives. The Gaza Health Ministry, associated with the Hamas government, has struggled to differentiate between combatants and civilians in its reported death toll. The ministry's figures are commonly regarded as reliable by U.N. agencies, though Israel has contested the accuracy of these numbers.
In terms of military engagements, Israel claims to have killed approximately 20,000 militants during its campaign, although it has not substantiated these claims with evidence. Meanwhile, Hamas has stated that it will only consider releasing the remaining hostages in exchange for Palestinian prisoners, a ceasefire, and an Israeli withdrawal from the territory.
Israel remains steadfast in its commitment to continue military actions until all hostages are returned, and Hamas is either defeated or disarmed. It has signaled intentions to maintain control over Gaza indefinitely, promoting what it describes as the voluntary emigration of a significant portion of the population—a stance that Palestinians and a majority of international stakeholders view as a forcible expulsion.
