The Palestinian death toll in the 20-month-long Israel-Hamas war has crossed 55,000, according to Gaza's Health Ministry on Wednesday. Among the latest casualties were at least 21 people reportedly killed while attempting to reach aid distribution points.
The exact circumstances surrounding the deaths near the aid locations remain unclear. The Israeli military said it fired warning shots in central Gaza at individuals it described as “suspects” posing a threat to its troops.
The Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), which manages several of the aid centers, claimed that five of its local staff members were killed en route to one of the distribution sites in an attack it attributed to Hamas.
While the Gaza Health Ministry does not differentiate between civilians and combatants in its casualty counts, it maintains that women and children make up more than half of the over 55,000 deaths. The ministry, part of Hamas’ de facto government in Gaza, reports 55,104 deaths and 127,394 injuries since the war began. These figures exclude Wednesday's fatalities and do not account for those believed to be trapped under rubble or in areas unreachable by emergency responders. Although Israel has often questioned these statistics, past tallies have generally aligned with independent assessments.
Aid Missions Turn Deadly
Gazan health officials reported that 14 individuals were killed near Rafah while heading to collect humanitarian aid, with their bodies taken to Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis. Another seven people were reported dead near an aid site in central Gaza, according to Al-Awda Hospital.
The Israeli military said it had fired warning shots early Wednesday at people it identified as posing a threat in central Gaza but did not comment on the reported casualties near Rafah.
Among the victims was 16-year-old Ghazal Eyad. Her mother, Safaa Farmawi, told the AP she was killed while they were attempting to collect food. “She went ahead of me, and then people told me my daughter was martyred,” Farmawi said.
Frequent gunfire incidents have been reported near new aid centers, run by a recently formed organization not endorsed by the United Nations. While Palestinian witnesses claim Israeli forces have fired on civilians approaching aid, the Israeli army maintains it only fires warning shots at perceived threats.
The GHF said it has seen no violence at its distribution points and has advised people to follow designated routes. It temporarily halted aid operations to coordinate safety measures with Israeli authorities.
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GHF Blames Hamas for Deadly Attack on Aid Workers
The Gaza Humanitarian Foundation accused Hamas of targeting a bus carrying two dozen of its Palestinian aid workers heading to a distribution center near Khan Younis. At least five were killed and several others injured, the foundation said, adding that some may have been taken hostage.
“Our hearts are broken,” the foundation said in a statement. “Our thoughts and prayers are with every victim, every family, and every person still unaccounted for.” The AP has not independently verified the foundation’s account.
New Aid Delivery System Under Scrutiny
The newly introduced aid delivery system — rolled out last month — has been marred by confusion and violence. Meanwhile, the longstanding U.N.-managed system has struggled to function due to ongoing Israeli restrictions and deteriorating security conditions, even after Israel relaxed a strict blockade imposed from March to May.
Experts and rights groups warn that famine looms across Gaza unless Israel fully lifts its blockade and halts military operations. The Israeli government insists its new aid model is intended to prevent Hamas from diverting supplies. However, U.N. agencies and international aid groups argue there’s no evidence of large-scale diversion and claim the system violates humanitarian norms by centralizing control and causing further displacement.
Israeli Forces Recover Hostage Remains
Israel announced on Wednesday that its forces retrieved the bodies of two hostages from Gaza. One was identified as Yair Yaakov, who was killed during the Hamas-led October 7 attack and whose body was taken into Gaza. His partner and two children were released earlier in a ceasefire deal. The identity of the second hostage was not disclosed.
Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant described the recovery mission as "complex," without offering additional details. According to the military, the operation took place in Khan Younis.
The war began on October 7, 2023, when Hamas-led fighters launched a deadly attack, killing approximately 1,200 people — mostly civilians — and abducting 251 hostages. Israel has since recovered the remains of many hostages and rescued eight alive. Militants are still believed to be holding 53 captives, fewer than half of whom are thought to be alive.
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Hamas says it will only release the remaining hostages in exchange for a lasting ceasefire, the release of Palestinian prisoners, and full Israeli withdrawal. The group has expressed willingness to transfer authority to a neutral Palestinian body but has not agreed to disarm.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has rejected those terms, committing instead to temporary truces for hostage recovery. He vows to continue the war until all hostages are freed and Hamas is either dismantled or exiled. Netanyahu has also declared that Israel will retain long-term control over Gaza and facilitate what he calls the “voluntary emigration” of a significant portion of the Palestinian population — a proposal widely condemned as forced displacement and a potential breach of international law.