by A deadly confrontation erupted early Tuesday near an aid distribution point in Gaza, where Israeli troops opened fire on Palestinians waiting for humanitarian assistance, leaving at least 27 dead and over 160 injured, according to Gaza’s health ministry. This tragic event marks the third time in just three days that Palestinians have been killed near the controversial aid distribution site at the “Al-Alam” roundabout in Rafah, intensifying the humanitarian crisis in the embattled region.
The Palestinian health ministry, controlled by Hamas since 2007, reported the casualties, though independent verification remains difficult. The World Health Organization, however, has previously deemed Gaza’s health data reliable.
The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) described the shooting as “warning fire,” stating that soldiers responded after identifying individuals who approached in a manner they deemed threatening, straying from designated safe access routes. The IDF said it was investigating the incident and expressed awareness of the casualties reported.
“After suspects failed to retreat, additional shots were fired near those advancing toward the troops,” the IDF statement read, emphasizing that the individuals moved into a restricted military zone well beyond the secure corridor designated for aid access.
The Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), a U.S. and Israel-backed organization overseeing aid distribution, insisted their operations were conducted safely and without incident within the secure zone. In a statement, the GHF acknowledged that some civilians may have ventured beyond the designated safe corridors, warning of the inherent dangers.
“This was an area outside our secure distribution site,” the GHF said, urging civilians to remain within the safe corridor to avoid harm.
This incident follows a series of deadly encounters over the past days where Palestinians were reportedly shot while attempting to reach aid under a newly implemented distribution system — a system heavily criticized by humanitarian organizations and U.N. agencies for its harsh restrictions and the dangers it poses to civilians.
Just Monday, Gaza health officials reported three fatalities and dozens of injuries in a similar shooting near another aid point in Rafah. The IDF claimed soldiers fired warning shots to deter individuals approaching their position outside the designated safe zone.
On Sunday, more than 30 people were killed in a comparable incident near an aid distribution center, with hundreds more wounded. Witnesses described being fired upon while waiting for food assistance. The IDF and GHF strongly denied these claims, attributing them to misinformation.
An Israeli military official told NBC News that soldiers fired warning shots at individuals nearly half a mile from the aid site and dismissed reports of casualties as “false claims.”
The ongoing violence underscores the fraught conditions in Gaza, where aid delivery is hampered by security concerns and deep mistrust between parties. The IDF has justified its strict measures by accusing Hamas of diverting aid meant for civilians — a claim denied by numerous aid groups including the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, which say no evidence has emerged to support allegations of aid diversion during the conflict.
As the humanitarian crisis deepens, the deadly clashes around aid distribution points highlight the urgent need for safer, more transparent channels to get critical assistance to Gaza’s civilians.
