Over 20 individuals lost their lives on Sunday when attempting to receive food at an aid distribution point established by an Israeli-backed foundation in the Gaza Strip, as confirmed by a Red Cross-run hospital where the bodies were brought. According to eyewitnesses who spoke to the Associated Press, Israeli forces initiated shooting as people were approaching the aid distribution site managed by the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF). “There were numerous martyrs, including women,” recounted a 40-year-old resident. “We were approximately 300 meters away from the military.”
Media reports indicated that dozens of individuals were being treated at the hospital following the latest incident at the controversial site in Rafah. Hospital officials did not disclose who was responsible for the shooting but stated that another 175 individuals were wounded. An Associated Press reporter witnessed dozens of people receiving treatment at the hospital.
The Israeli military did not immediately respond to requests for comment. The foundation, in a statement, claimed that aid was delivered “without incident” early on Sunday and denied previous accounts of chaos and gunfire around its sites, which are located in Israeli military zones with restricted access.
Ibrahim Abu Saoud, an eyewitness who spoke to the Associated Press, reported that the Israeli military fired shots about 300 meters away. He observed many individuals with gunshot wounds, including a young man who he stated died at the scene: “We were unable to assist him.”
UN officials and other humanitarian organizations have rejected Israel’s new food distribution system, claiming that it lacks the capability to fulfill the needs of Gaza’s population of 2.3 million and facilitates Israel’s utilization of food as a weapon to control the populace.
Source: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/jun/01/palestinians-gunned-down-while-trying-to-reach-food-aid-site-in-gaza-hospital-says
