Over 30 Gazans Killed Seeking Food Aid Amid Israeli Gunfire

At least 32 Palestinians were killed on Saturday as Israeli forces opened fire on crowds attempting to access food aid distribution points in southern Gaza, according to local officials and eyewitnesses.

The deadly incidents occurred near aid centres operated by the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), a U.S.- and Israeli-backed group created to replace the UN-led aid mechanism, which both governments accuse of aiding Hamas—a claim the UN denies. While GHF claims to have delivered millions of meals since its launch in May, local sources report that hundreds have died attempting to reach the aid under Israeli gunfire.

Israeli troops, who monitor the sites from a distance, claim they only fire warning shots to prevent crowd surges. GHF, which employs private security guards, denies any direct involvement in fatal shootings. However, earlier this week, at least 20 people were killed at one of their aid centres during what GHF described as a Hamas-provoked stampede—without providing evidence.

Following Saturday’s deaths, no immediate comments were issued by either the Israeli military or GHF.

Most fatalities occurred in the Teina area, east of Khan Younis, where large crowds gathered in the early morning. Witnesses described troops first firing warning shots before directing live fire at civilians. “It was a massacre,” said Mahmoud Mokeimar, who saw people falling as gunfire erupted.

Another witness, Akram Aker, reported that machine guns mounted on tanks and drones were used against the crowds. “We shouted for food, but they just opened fire,” said Sanaa al-Jaberi, a 55-year-old woman who survived the shooting.

Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis confirmed receiving 25 bodies and dozens of wounded, many with gunshot injuries to the head and chest. Seven more deaths were reported near Rafah. Medical staff say the hospital's ICU is overwhelmed.

The deaths highlight the worsening humanitarian crisis in Gaza, where over 2 million people face severe food shortages. Aid deliveries from GHF have often descended into chaos, with food parcels dropped into crowds, leading to stampedes and violence.

Videos from a U.S. contractor working with GHF show private guards using tear gas, stun grenades, and even live ammunition to disperse hungry civilians.

The ongoing war, which erupted after Hamas attacked Israel on October 7, 2023, has killed over 58,000 Palestinians, displaced nearly the entire population of Gaza, and left vast swathes of the territory devastated.

Meanwhile, ceasefire talks in Qatar between Israel and Hamas remain stalled, with negotiators reporting no progress.