Health officials and eyewitnesses reported that at least 25 people were killed and many more injured on Sunday while heading to a food distribution point in the Gaza Strip. Witnesses said Israeli forces fired on the crowd from approximately one kilometer away from a humanitarian aid center operated by a group supported by Israel.
The Israeli military issued a brief statement, saying it was “currently unaware of injuries caused by (Israeli military) fire within the Humanitarian Aid distribution site,” adding that the incident is under investigation.
The aid organization involved stated that aid was delivered "without incident" earlier that day and denied previous reports of disorder or violence at its locations, which are situated in areas controlled by the Israeli military and not accessible to independent observers.
Medical personnel at a nearby Red Cross field hospital confirmed the deaths and said 175 others were injured. They declined to say who was responsible for the gunfire and requested anonymity due to lack of authorization to speak to the press.
Zaher al-Waheidi, who oversees records for Gaza’s Health Ministry, verified the number of deaths and noted that two women were among the victims. An Associated Press journalist observed dozens of wounded being treated at the hospital.
Aid Effort Plagued by Disorder
The aid distribution by the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation has frequently been chaotic. Witnesses say Israeli forces have opened fire near aid delivery points before. Prior to Sunday’s incident, at least six people had reportedly been killed and more than 50 injured.
The foundation insists that its private security staff have not fired on crowds and that recent aid deliveries occurred without problems. The Israeli army has previously acknowledged using warning shots near aid locations.
On Sunday, the group reported delivering 16 truckloads of aid early in the day without any trouble, dismissing reports of violence and casualties as false.
Witnesses Describe a “Horrific” Scene
Thousands had gathered near the aid site well before dawn. Witnesses say Israeli forces ordered the crowd to leave and return later. But by about 3 a.m., as people reached the Flag Roundabout—about a kilometer from the distribution center—Israeli forces allegedly opened fire.
“There was gunfire from all directions—naval ships, tanks, drones,” said Amr Abu Teiba, one of the witnesses. He said he saw at least 10 bodies and many others injured, including women. People used carts to transport victims to the field hospital. “It was horrific,” he said.
Another eyewitness, Ibrahim Abu Saoud, confirmed a similar account, saying fire came from about 300 meters away. He said he saw many people with gunshot wounds, including one young man who died on the spot.
Mohammed Abu Teaima, 33, said his cousin and another woman were killed while walking toward the aid site. He added that his cousin was shot in the chest and died instantly, while his brother-in-law was also injured. “They fired directly at us,” he said outside the field hospital.
A Controversial Aid Distribution System
The aid hub is part of a newly established system, backed by Israel and the U.S., that is meant to stop Hamas from intercepting aid. Israel has not provided evidence that aid has been systematically diverted, and the United Nations denies such diversion has occurred.
Major international aid groups and U.N. agencies have refused to participate in the new system, criticizing it for violating humanitarian norms by letting Israel control aid access and requiring displaced civilians to move to designated areas, risking further upheaval.
While Israel recently relaxed its blockade slightly, aid agencies say efforts to bring supplies into Gaza remain hampered by Israeli restrictions, lack of security, and widespread looting. About 2 million residents of Gaza are now almost entirely dependent on humanitarian assistance, and experts warn the region is on the brink of famine.
The ongoing war began on October 7, 2023, when Hamas militants attacked southern Israel, killing around 1,200 people—mostly civilians—and taking 251 hostages. Around 58 hostages remain in captivity, with about one-third believed to be alive.
Since then, Israel’s military response has killed over 54,000 people in Gaza, according to the territory’s Health Ministry. Most of the casualties are women and children, although the ministry does not distinguish between civilians and combatants. The offensive has caused widespread destruction, displaced about 90% of Gaza’s population, and left them heavily reliant on outside aid.