Israeli Gunfire Near Aid Sites in Gaza Leaves Dozens Dead, Hamas Reports

At least 32 Palestinians were killed by Israeli gunfire near two aid distribution points in southern Gaza, according to the Hamas-run health ministry. The incident occurred close to Khan Younis and Rafah, with dozens more reported injured. The aid sites are managed by the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), a controversial organization backed by the US and Israel.

The GHF denied any incidents occurred "at or near" their sites but acknowledged "Israel Defense Forces (IDF) activity" hours before the sites were scheduled to open. Eyewitnesses, however, described the gunfire as intentional and deadly. One witness, Mohammed Al-Khalidi, told Reuters that the Israeli army opened fire on a group of Palestinians who had been informed the GHF center was open. "The shots were not meant to scare or organize us—they were meant to kill us," he said.

The IDF stated that troops fired warning shots to deter "suspects" approaching them, emphasizing that the incident took place before the aid sites opened. The GHF employs private security contractors to distribute aid from sites within Israeli military zones, a system Israel and the US argue is necessary to prevent Hamas from diverting aid. However, the UN has refused to cooperate with the GHF, calling it unethical and citing a lack of evidence of systematic aid theft by Hamas.

Since the GHF began operations in late May, there have been almost daily reports of Palestinians killed while seeking aid. The UN human rights office has recorded 674 killings near GHF sites over the past six weeks, with an additional 201 deaths along aid convoy routes. The GHF has disputed these figures, accusing the UN of relying on "false and misleading" data from Gaza's Hamas-run health ministry, which is widely regarded as a reliable source for casualty counts.

The humanitarian crisis in Gaza continues to worsen, with the UN reporting that the number of acutely malnourished children has doubled since Israel restricted food imports in March. Despite the GHF's efforts, critical supplies, including baby formula, remain blocked at the border. A field hospital director reported an unprecedented influx of patients suffering from severe exhaustion, emaciation, and acute malnutrition, with 69 children confirmed dead from malnutrition.

Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump has suggested a ceasefire deal is imminent, but Palestinian officials say talks remain stalled due to Israel's proposed troop withdrawal map, which is unacceptable to Hamas. The ongoing violence and chaos underscore the deepening crisis in Gaza, where aid distribution has become a deadly gamble for civilians.