At least 27 Palestinians have been killed and dozens more injured by Israeli gunfire near an aid distribution site in northern Gaza, according to the Hamas-run Civil Defence agency. The deadly incident reportedly occurred as hundreds of civilians gathered in hopes of receiving desperately needed humanitarian assistance amid worsening conditions in the besieged enclave.
The shootings, which unfolded near the coastal road west of Gaza City, mark another grim episode in a region already gripped by widespread suffering due to ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas. Eyewitnesses and local health officials described scenes of chaos and panic as civilians were struck while attempting to collect flour and other aid supplies.
Eyewitness Accounts Paint a Harrowing Picture
According to several survivors, the crowd had formed early Thursday morning near a makeshift aid distribution point, following reports that trucks carrying food had arrived in the area. As the crowd surged forward, gunfire erupted. It remains unclear whether the shots were aimed directly at individuals or intended as warning fire to disperse the crowd.
“We were just trying to get some food,” said Ahmed Abu Rashed, a 34-year-old father of three who sustained a leg injury in the incident. “People were hungry. They were desperate. Then suddenly bullets started flying, and people began screaming and falling.”
Video footage circulating on social media, which has not yet been independently verified, shows people running in all directions, with several bodies lying motionless on the ground. Ambulances and civilian vehicles were seen rushing the wounded to overwhelmed hospitals already operating beyond capacity due to the ongoing war.
Israeli Military Responds
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) confirmed that troops had opened fire in the area but claimed the situation was more complex than initially portrayed. In a brief statement, the IDF said its soldiers had “responded to a threat” near the aid convoy and that an investigation was underway.
“IDF forces were securing the area to ensure the safe passage of humanitarian aid trucks when a large crowd approached,” the military said. “Efforts to disperse the crowd included warning shots. We are reviewing the circumstances surrounding this tragic event.”
Israeli officials have suggested that the chaos may have been exacerbated by internal crowd dynamics or actions by armed groups in the vicinity. However, the Palestinian Health Ministry in Gaza and the Hamas-run Civil Defence agency firmly accused Israeli troops of firing indiscriminately at unarmed civilians.
“This was a massacre,” said Mahmoud Basal, spokesperson for Gaza’s Civil Defence. “These were people who had come out to collect food for their families. The Israeli occupation bears full responsibility.”
Humanitarian Crisis Deepens
The incident comes amid an escalating humanitarian crisis in Gaza, where more than eight months of war have displaced the majority of the population and left critical infrastructure in ruins. International aid groups have repeatedly warned of looming famine in parts of the strip, especially in the north, where access to aid has been severely restricted.
According to the United Nations, over 1 million people in Gaza are currently facing acute food insecurity, and children are among the most vulnerable. Convoys of humanitarian aid have struggled to enter due to ongoing hostilities, bureaucratic obstacles, and concerns over the safety of distribution points.
Martin Griffiths, the UN Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs, condemned the latest incident, saying in a statement:
“The loss of civilian life in this context is appalling. Civilians trying to access food must not be met with gunfire. We need immediate, unfettered humanitarian access into Gaza, or more lives will be lost.”
International Reactions and Calls for Accountability
The incident has drawn sharp criticism from human rights groups and some governments, with calls growing for an independent investigation.
Human Rights Watch called the shootings “a clear violation of international law” and urged international actors to hold those responsible to account. “Firing into crowds of civilians who are attempting to obtain food is unconscionable,” said Lama Fakih, the group’s Middle East director.
Meanwhile, several governments, including Turkey, Qatar, and South Africa, issued statements condemning the killings and calling on Israel to abide by its obligations under international humanitarian law. The European Union also expressed concern, stating that it was “urgently seeking clarification” from Israeli authorities.
The U.S. State Department, a key ally of Israel, said it was “deeply saddened” by reports of civilian deaths and reiterated its call for increased humanitarian aid access into Gaza. However, it stopped short of assigning blame pending further investigation.
A War Without End in Sight
Thursday’s violence comes against the backdrop of a war that began in October 2023, following Hamas’ surprise attack on southern Israel that left approximately 1,200 Israelis dead, according to Israeli authorities. Israel responded with a sustained military campaign across Gaza, aimed at dismantling Hamas’ infrastructure and leadership.
Since then, more than 36,000 Palestinians have been killed, including thousands of women and children, according to the Gaza Health Ministry. The vast majority of Gaza’s 2.2 million residents are now displaced, living in overcrowded shelters or makeshift tents without reliable access to food, water, or medical care.
Despite mounting international pressure for a ceasefire or at least a sustained humanitarian pause, diplomatic efforts have repeatedly stalled. Negotiations mediated by Qatar, Egypt, and the United States have yet to produce a lasting agreement.
A Cry for Relief
For civilians in Gaza, Thursday’s events underscore a tragic reality: even accessing basic necessities has become life-threatening.
“These people died not in battle, but while waiting for food,” said one aid worker with a local NGO. “That says everything about the conditions on the ground right now.”
As the war drags on, incidents like this deepen the suffering and complicate already fragile relief efforts. Without urgent and sustained international action, observers warn, Gaza’s humanitarian catastrophe may only worsen in the days ahead.
