Israeli Forces Kill 23 Near Gaza Aid Site, Say Witnesses and Medics

Israeli forces reportedly killed 23 Palestinians near an aid distribution site in central Gaza, according to witnesses and medics. The victims were among thousands gathered to receive aid from the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF) — a US- and Israel-backed body that recently took over distribution from the UN.

Tanks and drones allegedly opened fire after the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) claimed people approached troops despite warning shots. The IDF later stated an aircraft targeted “several suspects” advancing toward forces. However, the GHF denied any attack near its sites.

According to Gaza’s Hamas-run health ministry, more than 400 Palestinians have died in similar aid-related incidents since late May — the period when Israel handed over food distribution duties to GHF, following a three-month total blockade that pushed Gaza to the brink of famine.

At al-Awda hospital in Nuseirat, 23 bodies and over 100 injured were reported. Images showed bodies laid out on the hospital floor. Aid organizations say conflicting or poorly communicated information about when and where aid is available is contributing to mass casualty events.

UNICEF criticized the GHF system, calling it chaotic and dangerous. Spokesperson James Elder highlighted incidents involving children injured while trying to collect food — including a young boy who died after being struck by a tank shell.

Similar violence has erupted throughout the week. On Thursday, 12 more Palestinians were killed while waiting for aid. On Tuesday, over 50 people reportedly died near Khan Younis, where flour was being distributed by the World Food Programme (WFP).

Meanwhile, water infrastructure is collapsing, with only 40% of Gaza’s drinking water production operational. “Children will begin to die of thirst,” warned UNICEF’s Elder.

Separately, 11 Palestinians were killed in an Israeli airstrike on a house in Deir al-Balah, and at least 77 more were reported dead following renewed Israeli airstrikes across Gaza — targeting the Shati area and others. These come amid reports of Hamas security units re-emerging and a temporary easing of Israeli aerial focus due to its confrontation with Iran.

The broader Israeli offensive in Gaza began after the October 7, 2023 Hamas-led attack on southern Israel that killed 1,200 people and saw over 250 taken hostage. Since then, the Gaza death toll has surpassed 55,700, including over 15,000 children, per the Hamas-run health ministry.