At least 23 Palestinians were killed Sunday as Israeli forces opened fire on people trying to reach food distribution points in Gaza, according to hospital sources and eyewitnesses. The violence unfolded amid growing desperation and hunger in the war-torn territory, where experts continue to warn of looming famine.
Eyewitness Yousef Abed, who was among a crowd heading to receive aid, described being shot at without warning. “I saw at least three people bleeding, but couldn’t help them due to the gunfire,” he said.
Southern Gaza’s Nasser Hospital confirmed receiving multiple casualties, including eight bodies from Teina, a village near an aid distribution center in Khan Younis run by the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF). Another nine were reportedly killed near the Morag corridor, and one in Shakoush near Rafah. GHF, a U.S.- and Israeli-backed private contractor, took over food distribution in Gaza over two months ago.
Three eyewitnesses told the Associated Press that Israeli troops opened fire as starving civilians approached aid distribution sites, all of which lie within military-controlled zones.
Further north, in central Gaza, similar reports emerged. Hamza Matter, another aid seeker, said, “As people moved closer to the aid site, troops began shooting. We ran, and some were hit.”
Awda Hospital reported five deaths and 27 injuries near a GHF site close to the Netzarim corridor. Witnesses say such incidents have become common near aid centers, with scores of Palestinians killed over recent weeks.
According to the United Nations, 859 people were killed near GHF-run sites between May 27 and July 31, with hundreds more reportedly killed while approaching UN-led food convoys.
The GHF was established in May as an alternative to the UN system, which Israel accused of being exploited by Hamas. Israel has provided no evidence of large-scale diversion of aid, and the UN has strongly denied the claims. GHF insists its contractors have only used pepper spray or fired warning shots to control crowds, while the Israeli military maintains it uses similar tactics. Both dispute the reported death tolls.
Neither Israel’s military nor GHF responded immediately to questions about Sunday’s fatalities. GHF stated no gunfire occurred “near or at our sites.”
Meanwhile, Gaza’s health ministry reported six more adult deaths due to malnutrition in the past 24 hours. Since late June, 82 adult Palestinians and 93 children have died from starvation-related causes. These deaths are tracked separately from war casualties.
Israeli Minister's Visit to Sensitive Holy Site Sparks Backlash
On Sunday, Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir visited Jerusalem’s highly sensitive Al-Aqsa Mosque compound — known to Jews as the Temple Mount — to mark Tisha B’Av, a Jewish day of mourning. His act of praying openly at the site broke longstanding protocol and triggered swift condemnation from Palestinian leaders, Jordan, and Saudi Arabia.
During his visit, Ben-Gvir called for Israel to annex Gaza and encourage Palestinians to leave, claiming this was the only way to win the war and free Israeli hostages held by Hamas.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office later confirmed that the status quo at the holy site remains unchanged — Jews may visit, but are not permitted to pray.
Palestinian Authority spokesperson Nabil Abu Rudeineh denounced the visit, while Jordan’s Foreign Ministry labeled it a "provocative incursion." Saudi Arabia also criticized the act, warning it could inflame tensions.
Ben-Gvir's visit came amid continued efforts to secure the release of hostages, including a recently released video by Hamas showing 24-year-old Evyatar David in poor condition. Hamas and Islamic Jihad released similar videos of other captives last week, which Israeli media have refused to broadcast, labeling them propaganda.
Red Crescent Facility Shelled, School Hit in Khan Younis
Early Sunday, the Palestinian Red Crescent said Israeli forces shelled its headquarters in Khan Younis, killing one staff member and injuring three. Video footage showed severe destruction to the building, including shattered walls and blood on the floor. The facility was reportedly struck three times around 1 a.m.
In a separate attack, an Israeli strike hit a school sheltering displaced civilians in the same city, killing at least two, according to Nasser Hospital.
Israel’s military did not immediately respond to inquiries about either strike.
War’s Toll Continues to Mount
The war began with Hamas’ attack on Israel on October 7, 2023, which left 1,200 dead and 251 taken hostage. Around 50 hostages remain in captivity, with about 20 believed to be alive. In response, Israel launched a military offensive that has so far killed more than 60,400 Palestinians, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry.
While Israel disputes those figures, it has not released its own casualty data. The UN and other independent organizations regard the health ministry’s count as the most reliable available.