GAZA – At least 23 Palestinians have been killed and over 100 wounded after Israeli forces opened fire near a US- and Israel-backed aid distribution site in central Gaza, according to witnesses and medics.
The incident occurred on Thursday near a humanitarian centre run by the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), as thousands gathered in desperate need of food and supplies.
Eyewitnesses reported that Israeli tanks and drones fired into the crowds.
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) acknowledged troops fired warning shots and that an aircraft later struck what it termed “several suspects” advancing towards soldiers.
Aid Centre Denies Shooting, But Casualties Mount
The GHF, which recently took over most aid distribution in Gaza after Israel sidelined the United Nations, denied any shootings took place near its facilities.
A spokesperson at al-Awda Hospital in Nuseirat confirmed that 23 bodies were received alongside more than 100 injured, many in critical condition.
Graphic images from the scene showed bloodied victims lying on the floor of the hospital.
UN: Humanitarian System “Making Things Worse”
The UN children’s agency UNICEF strongly criticised the current aid distribution model, describing it as “chaotic and dangerous.”
“The Israel- and US-backed GHF system is making a desperate humanitarian situation worse,” said UNICEF spokesperson James Elder, who cited misinformation, lack of access, and poor coordination as contributing to mass casualty events.
Elder also warned that Gaza was experiencing a “man-made drought,” with just 40% of water production capacity functional.
“Children will begin to die of thirst,” he added. “We are far below emergency standards for drinking water access.”
Over 400 Killed Near Aid Sites Since May
The Hamas-run health ministry says more than 400 Palestinians have died near aid sites since late May, when Israel imposed a full blockade and halted all food shipments into Gaza.
That move, aimed at bypassing the UN, placed the GHF in charge of distribution.
The ministry claims Israeli forces have repeatedly opened fire on civilians gathering for aid, while some incidents may have involved local gunmen. The IDF said Thursday’s incident is under review.
More Civilian Deaths in Strikes
In a separate airstrike Friday, 11 more Palestinians were killed when Israeli warplanes struck a home west of Deir al-Balah, according to the Palestinian Red Crescent.
Earlier this week, over 50 people reportedly died in eastern Khan Younis, as Israeli forces shelled another area where thousands were waiting for flour near a World Food Programme (WFP) site.
Death Toll Nears 56,000
The Israeli military campaign in Gaza, which began after the October 7, 2023 Hamas-led attack on southern Israel, has killed at least 55,706 Palestinians, including more than 15,000 children, according to Gaza’s health ministry.
The October attack resulted in 1,200 Israeli deaths and 251 hostages taken, prompting a full-scale response from Israel that has left Gaza’s infrastructure devastated and humanitarian systems overwhelmed.
