Amid the rubble and hunger of war-torn southern Gaza, desperation turned deadly on Saturday as at least 32 Palestinians were shot dead when Israeli forces opened fire on crowds scrambling for food near aid distribution points, according to witnesses and hospital officials.
HAMBRUNA: Gaza esta mañana: Israel sigue matando a los palestinos de hambre. pic.twitter.com/Wg9Q1Sy2YT
— Palestina Hoy (@Palestinahoy01) July 18, 2025
Chaos in the Midst of Aid Distribution
The chaos unfolded near centres run by the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), a US and Israeli-backed initiative launched in May as an alternative to the traditional UN-led relief network, which Israel accuses of being infiltrated by Hamas. The UN has categorically denied these claims.
While GHF states it has delivered millions of meals, Palestinian witnesses and local health authorities say hundreds have been killed by Israeli gunfire while attempting to reach these food hubs. The four distribution centres are situated in military-controlled zones.
Though Israeli troops are not stationed directly at the sites, they provide security from a distance. The military stated that Saturday’s firing involved only “warning shots” near Rafah after a group allegedly approached soldiers despite being warned to stay away. They added that the incident occurred at night, when the site was closed.
Eyewitness Accounts of Chaos and Desperation
GHF, in a statement, claimed no incident had occurred at its centres and reiterated, “We have repeatedly warned aid seekers not to travel to our sites overnight and early morning hours.”
Witnesses described horrific scenes in Gaza. Mahmoud Mokeimar, about 3 kilometers from a GHF centre near Khan Younis, recalled, “The occupation opened fire at us indiscriminately. I saw at least three people lying motionless and many others wounded trying to run.”
Another witness, Akram Aker, reported that troops fired machine guns mounted on tanks and drones. He stated the attack happened between 5 and 6 am, even though GHF had instructed people not to arrive before 6 am due to military operations. “They encircled us and started firing directly at us. I saw many people lying on the ground, bleeding,” said Aker.
Sanaa al-Jaberi noted that gunfire erupted even after the site opened. “People broke into a run, and they shot at us,” she said, holding up an empty bag. “Is this food or death? Why? They don’t talk with us. They only shoot us.”
Rising Casualties and Hospital Strain
Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis reported receiving 25 bodies. Seven more were reported killed in Shakoush, near another GHF site in Rafah, including one woman. Gaza’s Health Ministry confirmed the death toll.
Dr. Mohamed Saker, head of nursing at Nasser, stated that the hospital treated 70 wounded individuals, many suffering from gunshot wounds to the head and chest. Supplies were so scarce that some patients, including a child, were treated on the floor. One boy was seen holding a blood bag aloft for someone on a stretcher.
