Tragedy Strikes as 12 Palestinians Killed While Awaiting Aid in Gaza

In a harrowing incident in central Gaza, at least 12 Palestinians were killed by Israeli gunfire while waiting for aid, stirring outrage and highlighting the dire humanitarian conditions facing the region.

At least 12 Palestinians have tragically lost their lives due to Israeli military fire while queuing for aid in central Gaza, according to reports from medics and rescuers. The incident occurred near a distribution point managed by the US- and Israeli-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF) on Thursday, sparking renewed concerns about safety in these increasingly dangerous aid scenarios.

While the GHF denied any violent incidents at its site, the Israeli military claimed that "suspects" were attempting to approach forces in the vicinity of Netzarim and that warning shots were fired. They maintained they were unaware of any injuries. This event marks another in a series of near-daily shootings in proximity to aid distribution efforts in Gaza.

Since the GHF assumed control over aid distribution in late May, hundreds have died in similar circumstances, with reports suggesting that fatalities are often linked to incidents at aid sites rather than direct Israeli strikes targeting Hamas. The Gaza health ministry indicated that 12 people were killed as they sought assistance at the aid site, omitting further specifics.

The Hamas-run civil defense agency, which serves as Gaza's primary emergency service, reported that a company of individuals was shot dead by Israeli forces near Netzarim. Civil defense official Mohammad al-Mughayyir provided a grim toll of 15 killed and at least 60 injured in the chaotic scene, although access restrictions for international media have hindered verification of these figures.

Eyewitness Bassam Abu Shaar described the atmosphere at the GHF-supported site, noting that thousands had gathered overnight, when the Israeli military allegedly opened fire at around 1:00 AM local time. "The crowd was too large to escape the gunfire. We couldn't help them or escape ourselves," he lamented.

On the contrary, the GHF has dismissed the reports from Gaza's health ministry as "false and misleading," leading to calls from Hamas for the UN and humanitarian agencies to resume sole responsibility for distributing aid in the region. The UN has criticized the humanitarian distribution changes, asserting that it violates principles of neutrality and independence.

The US and Israel assert that the GHF's methods aim to prevent Hamas from appropriating aid, an allegation the group refutes. Meanwhile, civil defense teams have been recovering bodies from across Gaza, as reports of casualties from Israeli shelling continue to rise. In a separate incident, seven individuals were killed when a tent accommodating displaced civilians in the Jabalia refugee camp was reportedly struck.

This tumultuous situation follows a widespread Israeli campaign launched in response to a Hamas-led attack on southern Israel on October 7, where approximately 1,200 people died and over 251 were taken hostage. The ongoing conflict has resulted in an estimated 55,637 casualties in Gaza, according to the territory's Hamas-controlled health authorities.