At least five Palestinians were killed and dozens injured as they approached aid distribution points in the Gaza Strip, according to health officials and witnesses. The sites, run by the Israeli and US-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), have seen repeated incidents of gunfire over the past two weeks, with more than 80 reportedly killed near these hubs.
Witnesses claim Israeli troops opened fire as crowds gathered early Sunday to collect food. Israel’s military stated it fired “warning shots” at individuals in a combat zone who ignored orders to turn back. However, victims and their families dispute that claim, saying they were following instructions and arrived during designated safe hours.
Hospitals in Khan Younis and central Gaza received bodies and dozens of injured. A man at Nasser Hospital said a tank fired toward the crowd: “This is a trap for us, not aid.” Aid sites are located in areas closed to independent media access, raising concerns over transparency and safety.
The UN and aid groups criticize the GHF system, warning that it undermines humanitarian efforts and deepens Gaza’s growing famine risk. Over 54,000 Palestinians have been killed since the war began, with 90% of the population displaced and nearly all food production destroyed.