Israeli Airstrikes Kill Over 60 Palestinians Near Gaza Aid Sites Amid Ongoing Humanitarian Crisis
Gaza City : At least 60 Palestinians were killed in Israeli gunfire and airstrikes across Gaza on Wednesday, according to local health officials, with the majority of deaths reported near humanitarian aid distribution sites operated by the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF) ; a group backed by the U.S. and Israel.
Heavy Casualties Near Aid Centre
In one of the deadliest incidents, 25 people were killed and dozens more injured near a food distribution centre close to the former Jewish settlement of Netzarim, in central Gaza. The casualties occurred before dawn, as civilians gathered near the GHF site in search of food, said medical officials at Shifa and Al-Quds Hospitals.
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) acknowledged firing “warning shots” in the area, claiming the individuals posed a threat to its forces along the Netzarim Corridor, a known combat zone.
“Despite repeated warnings that this area is an active combat zone, individuals approached our forces. The IDF is reviewing reports of injuries,” the military said in a statement.
Violence Continues Across Gaza
Later in the day, 14 more Palestinians were killed in Rafah, in southern Gaza, as they approached another GHF distribution site, officials at Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis reported.
Separately, 11 additional deaths were confirmed across the enclave due to various Israeli strikes and gunfire incidents, according to the Gaza Health Ministry.
The Ministry said that in total, 163 people have been killed and over 1,000 wounded while attempting to obtain food since GHF began its operations in late May.
GHF Accuses Hamas of Bus Attack
In a separate incident, the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation accused Hamas militants of attacking one of its buses, killing five Palestinian workers en route to a distribution site. The foundation denounced the violence but vowed to continue its mission.
“We will continue our mission to provide critical aid to the people of Gaza,” the GHF stated.
Responding to questions from Reuters, the organization said it was unaware of Wednesday’s civilian casualties but stressed its coordination with Israeli authorities to ensure safe routes.
“The solution is more aid, not less. There is still not enough food to feed everyone in Gaza,” the foundation said in an email.
GHF also claimed it delivered 2.5 million meals on Wednesday, marking its largest single-day operation, with over 16 million meals distributed since May.
UN Criticism and Humanitarian Concerns
The United Nations condemned the violence and reiterated its refusal to deliver aid via GHF, citing violations of humanitarian neutrality due to the group’s reliance on private contractors backed by the Israeli military.
The situation in Gaza remains dire. According to the Hamas-run health ministry, nearly 55,000 Palestinians, mostly civilians, have been killed since Israel’s military campaign began in October 2023, following a Hamas-led attack that killed 1,200 people and took 251 hostages ; marking the deadliest day in Israel’s history.
With over two million people living in Gaza, most of them displaced and suffering from severe malnutrition, humanitarian agencies have warned that the region is on the verge of total collapse.
Hostage Deal Talks Ongoing
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Tuesday that there had been “significant progress” in hostage negotiations, but added that it was “too soon” to expect a breakthrough. However, two Hamas sources told Reuters they were unaware of any such progress.
The international community continues to call for immediate humanitarian access, a lasting ceasefire, and a political resolution to end the suffering of civilians trapped in the crossfire.
