Khan Younis, Gaza Strip — In a tragic escalation of violence, at least eight Palestinians were killed and many more injured in a shooting incident near food distribution points supported by Israeli and U.S. entities in the Gaza Strip on Sunday, according to health officials.
Witnesses and health officials have indicated that Israeli forces opened fire on crowds of desperate Palestinians who were attempting to access essential aid in the southern city of Rafah early in the morning.
The ongoing humanitarian crisis in Gaza has been exacerbated by an extensive blockade and military operations, leading to rampant food shortages and an impending famine for its population of over 2 million people. Most residents now rely heavily on international aid due to the destruction of nearly all local food production capabilities.
The conflict has continued unabated for more than 20 months following Hamas’ attack on October 7, 2023, which set off a series of aggressive military responses from Israel, including a recent surprise assault on Iran.
The deadly shooting near the aid distribution sites, which are managed by the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, highlights the deteriorating security situation. The new aid distribution program has been proposed by Israel and the U.S. as a replacement for the existing United Nations system, which has rejected this initiative on the grounds that it undermines established humanitarian principles.
Since the launch of these distribution points last month, reports of violence and chaos have become a near-daily occurrence. Witnesses have claimed that Israeli forces have repeatedly fired on crowds, with health officials confirming that many have been killed during these incidents.
As an eyewitness, Ahmed al-Masri expressed his despair upon leaving one of the sites empty-handed, saying, “There were wounded, dead, and martyrs. It’s a trap.”
Umm Hosni al-Najjar recounted her experience as she joined a crowd heading to the aid point in Rafah’s Tal al-Sultan neighborhood at around 4:30 a.m. She described how the shooting erupted moments after her arrival, stating, “There were many wounded and martyrs. No one was able to evacuate them.”
Following the violence, the Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis reported receiving eight bodies from the scene. Gaza’s Health Ministry indicated that a total of 65 bodies had been brought to hospitals in the last 24 hours, attributed to Israeli shootings and airstrikes.
The chaos surrounding the newly implemented aid distribution system has drawn criticism, as the United Nations struggles to deliver necessary food supplies amid ongoing Israeli restrictions and widespread disorder. Although Israel has made some concessions by easing the blockade it imposed between early March and mid-May, the humanitarian situation remains dire.
Israeli and U.S. officials have accused Hamas of diverting aid from the U.N. system. However, U.N. representatives assert that there is no evidence supporting claims of systematic diversion. The United Nations has further expressed concerns that the new aid framework may not adequately address Gaza’s needs, as it gives Israel control over aid distribution and could lead to further displacement of residents as they move closer to these sites.
Currently, two of the distribution points are located in the largely deserted city of Rafah, all three being situated within military zones restricted to independent media access.
The Gaza Humanitarian Foundation has denied any incidents of violence at or near the distribution sites, advising civilians to use designated routes. Recently, the Foundation has also halted aid deliveries to discuss possible safety measures with Israeli military officials.
The conflict, which began with the October 7 attack by Hamas, resulted in approximately 1,200 casualties in Israel, primarily among civilians, alongside the abduction of around 251 individuals. Reports indicate that 53 hostages are still being held, with less than half believed to be alive, following various negotiations for their release.
Israel’s military actions have reportedly led to the deaths of over 55,300 Palestinians, with women and children constituting the majority of the casualties. However, the Israeli government claims to have killed more than 20,000 militants, without providing substantial evidence.
The relentless warfare has devastated vast swathes of Gaza, displacing around 90% of its population, often forcing individuals and families to flee multiple times.
image source from：https://www.npr.org/2025/06/15/nx-s1-5434274/at-least-8-dead-in-shooting-near-israeli-and-us-supported-aid-sites-in-gaza
