Israel kills 57 in Gaza, including 35 seeking humanitarian aid

Palestinians gather at a food distribution point run by the US and Israeli-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF) group, near the Netsarim corridor in the central Gaza Strip on 2 August 2025.

Since dawn on Saturday, Israeli forces have killed 57 people across the Gaza Strip, with more than 61% of the victims being individuals seeking humanitarian aid. These deaths add to the mounting toll caused by Israel’s blockade and starvation tactics.

The situation underscores how international appeals for de-escalation have so far failed to influence Israeli actions, raising concerns that growing Western support for Palestinian statehood will not alleviate the suffering of Gaza’s population.

The Health Ministry in Gaza, run by Hamas, reported that hospitals including al-Shifa, al-Rantisi, Nasser, and al-Ahli Arab are overwhelmed, operating well beyond capacity. To manage the influx, beds have been placed in corridors and on floors, the ministry said.

Among those killed on Saturday, 35 were aid seekers. Many died near distribution sites of the Gaza Humanitarian Fund (GHF), an organisation supported by Israel and the US, which critics accuse of being complicit in the dangerous conditions faced by Palestinians seeking food.

Ralph Wilde, a professor of international law, described the situation as a “sadistic process” where Palestinians risk injury or death while trying to obtain essential supplies from those controlling the aid.

At a GHF site near the Netzarim Corridor in central Gaza, aid seeker Yahia Youssef described chaotic scenes of violence. After helping carry three gunshot victims, he witnessed others bleeding on the ground. Health workers confirmed at least eight deaths in that incident. Israeli forces said they fired warning shots at a crowd approaching their position.

In the Shakoush area near Rafah, witnesses reported Israeli troops opened fire on crowds, killing at least two people. One witness, Mohammed Abu Taha, saw three people shot as he fled.

Beyond direct violence, Israel’s blockade has also led to widespread starvation in Gaza. Atef Abu Khater, a 17-year-old former local sports champion, died of severe malnutrition on Saturday. His weight dropped from 70kg to just 25kg before his death, highlighting the devastating impact of food shortages.

Meanwhile, Hamas’s military wing, the Qassam Brigades, released a longer video of Israeli captive Evyatar David, who was seized during the Nova music festival attack in October 2023. In the four-minute video, David appears emaciated and describes extreme deprivation, saying he has barely eaten or drunk water in days. He shows a calendar marking his meagre food intake throughout July and grimly remarks that he is digging his own grave.

The video ends with a message stating that only a ceasefire will bring captives like David back alive. His family condemned the footage as part of a “disgusting hunger campaign.”