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At least 10 Palestinians were killed and more than 100 others injured on Sunday morning after Israeli forces reportedly opened fire on crowds approaching a humanitarian aid distribution site in southern Gaza, according to local rescue officials.
Thousands had gathered near a US-supported aid hub west of Rafah when the shooting began, civil defence spokesperson Mahmud Bassal told AFP. He said those killed and injured were transported to Nasser Hospital in Khan Yunis.
The incident adds to mounting international concern over the deepening humanitarian crisis in Gaza, where the population has been struggling under more than 18 months of war. The United Nations has previously warned that famine threatens the entire region due to severe shortages of food and aid.
While Israel recently eased a complete blockade that had lasted over two months, aid deliveries have remained sporadic and limited. The UN has also reported theft and looting from its convoys and warehouses, complicating relief efforts.
The World Food Programme has urged Israeli authorities to allow significantly more food aid into Gaza, warning that growing desperation among residents is fuelling chaos and insecurity.
The latest distribution point, managed by the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), began operating on May 26. The organisation, which is guarded by contracted US security personnel with support from Israeli troops, has claimed it has delivered over 2.1 million meals so far.
However, the initiative has drawn criticism from major aid organisations, including the UN, which have refused to engage with GHF. They argue the operation violates core humanitarian principles and appears to serve Israeli military interests more than the needs of civilians.
Despite being presented as a private initiative, the GHF effort has been closely associated with both US and Israeli authorities, further fuelling distrust among aid agencies and Gaza residents.
