Introduction
In a tragic escalation of the ongoing Gaza humanitarian crisis, Israeli forces reportedly killed 51 Palestinians and injured over 200 near an aid distribution site in Khan Younis, Gaza, according to eyewitnesses and rescuers. The deadly incident unfolded as thousands gathered, desperate for flour and basic food supplies.
How the Shooting Unfolded
According to witnesses, Israeli drones fired missiles at the crowd, followed by tank shelling. The area, located near a junction east of Khan Younis, had seen large gatherings of civilians waiting for World Food Programme (WFP) aid. BBC reports confirm the attack occurred while people awaited aid distribution.
Mahmud Bassal, spokesman for Gaza’s civil defence agency, told AFP: “Israeli drones fired at the citizens. Some minutes later, tanks fired shells, causing numerous casualties.” Video verified by BBC Verify confirms the location of the strike.
Nasser Hospital Overwhelmed
Nasser Hospital, the only major medical facility functioning in southern Gaza, is overwhelmed with casualties. Medical staff report trauma injuries, mostly from gunshot wounds and shrapnel, forcing them to treat wounded patients on the floor due to lack of beds, supplies, and critical infrastructure.
Israeli Military Response
The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) stated that a crowd was gathered near a stuck aid truck, close to their troops, and that the incident is under investigation. They claimed to have issued warnings to civilians prior to opening fire but provided limited additional details.
Repeated Attacks Near Aid Sites
This is the latest and potentially deadliest in a string of near-daily attacks around aid distribution zones in Gaza. Medical teams report most recent injuries stem from shootings near aid locations rather than direct strikes on Hamas militants. The World Health Organization’s (WHO) emergency officer Thanos Gargavanis highlighted a “direct correlation” between distribution sites and mass casualty incidents.
Humanitarian System Breakdown
The Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), backed by Israel and the U.S., has come under heavy criticism for failing to maintain control at distribution sites. Verified footage shows chaotic scenes of desperate civilians rushing aid trucks with little to no security present. The GHF temporarily closed its sites twice to reevaluate security measures.
Criticism from International Leaders
UN Human Rights Chief Volker Turk accused Israel of “weaponizing food” and called for a full international investigation. UNRWA chief Philippe Lazzarini added, “In Gaza, tragedies go on unabated while attention shifts elsewhere.”
Hamas has labeled the aid distribution system a “death trap,” accusing Israel of using the GHF to displace Palestinians southward as part of a broader displacement strategy. Critics argue that Israel’s shift away from UN-managed aid towards GHF is compounding the crisis.
Rising Death Toll
It has now been 20 months since Israel launched its campaign in response to the Hamas-led cross-border attack on 7 October 2023 that killed 1,200 Israelis and took 251 hostages. Gaza’s Health Ministry reports over 55,297 Palestinians have been killed since then.
Conclusion
The Khan Younis massacre highlights the extreme danger facing Palestinians even while seeking aid. With the humanitarian system breaking down and violence escalating, civilians remain trapped between warring factions. The international community continues to demand accountability and urgent reforms to prevent further loss of life.
