Gaza City, Gaza Strip — In a devastating escalation of violence, Israeli forces have reportedly killed 59 Palestinians in Gaza, with many victims attempting to secure food from aid distribution points operated by the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF). This situation has drawn sharp criticism, as the areas have been labeled by observers as “human slaughterhouses.”
On Sunday, medics at al-Awda Hospital indicated that at least three individuals were killed while gathering near a GHF site close to the Netzarim Corridor. Stories from witnesses, including one man named Ahmed al-Masri, described the tragic scene, calling the shootings a “trap” set for desperate families. Tragically, further reports revealed that at least 10 other aid seekers lost their lives, with over 50 more injured in southern Gaza, according to local health officials.
Eyewitness accounts from Al Jazeera’s Tareq Abu Azzoum indicated that the Israeli military failed to provide any warnings to the crowds before opening fire, exacerbating the already high civilian casualty toll. The severity of the ongoing humanitarian crisis is evident, as residents braving the violence only seek basic necessities amid an impending famine.
The situation intensified further during multiple Israeli airstrikes across southern Gaza, which reportedly resulted in at least 12 additional fatalities, with further casualties recorded in Beit Lahiya and the Nuseirat refugee camp. Witnesses described those killed as ordinary citizens caught in the crossfire of escalating conflict, further complicating the dire humanitarian landscape.
The GHF, which began its operations in Gaza in late May following a partial loosening of the blockade, has been the subject of fierce scrutiny. Observers note that, in their view, the organization has transformed aid distribution sites into dangerous gatherings, where participants risk their lives for basic sustenance. Witnesses claim thousands continue to gather at these sites despite the risks, driven by a dire need for food amid an ongoing blockade.
Since the GHF’s involvement, the Gaza Ministry of Health has reported staggering numbers, indicating that at least 274 individuals have died and thousands have been injured near these distribution points. A spokesperson for the ministry condemned the high death toll, attributing it in part to reckless military operations targeting civilians.
While the Israeli military has acknowledged engaging aid seekers under certain circumstances, they maintain that their actions are justified, suggesting that troops only fire upon those perceived to be deviating from designated paths to aid distribution sites. This defense has met with skepticism from Palestinian groups, which accuse the Israeli military of using starvation as a strategy in the ongoing conflict and malfeasance toward humanitarian efforts.
International bodies, including the United Nations, have rebuked the GHF for what they term inadequate and dangerous aid distribution methods. Critics argue that the new system fails to meet the urgent needs of the population and bypasses established networks with experience in delivering assistance across Gaza.
As the humanitarian crisis deepens, nearly 55,300 Palestinians have reportedly died in the ongoing conflict, and critical infrastructure has been largely destroyed throughout the territory. The effects of prolonged warfare keep over two million people in Gaza on the brink of famine, with many displaced and grappling with acute hunger.
The international community watches closely as the situation continues to deteriorate, raising urgent calls for a reevaluation of aid strategies and an immediate cessation of violence to ensure the safety of civilians seeking basic necessities.