Israeli Gunfire Kills 22 Near Gaza Aid Centre Amid Ongoing Crisis
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Israeli Gunfire Kills 22 Near Gaza Aid Centre Amid Ongoing Crisis |
At least 22 Palestinians were killed and over 120 injured—many of them children—on Sunday after Israeli forces allegedly opened fire near a humanitarian aid distribution centre in Rafah, Gaza, according to local rescue teams. The incident came shortly after the United States dismissed Hamas's latest ceasefire response as “totally unacceptable.”
Criticism of Israel's handling of the humanitarian situation in Gaza has intensified, with the United Nations warning of widespread famine following more than two months of restricted aid access.
In an effort to improve the flow of humanitarian aid, Israel recently partnered with a new US-backed group—the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF)—bypassing the traditional UN-led aid system. GHF claims to have distributed over 2 million meals, although the rollout has been marred by chaotic scenes and deadly violence.
Footage from AFP showed civilians using donkey carts to transport bodies, while others carried food and supplies. Many of the injured were taken to Nasser Hospital in Khan Yunis.
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Survivors described scenes of panic. Sameh Hamuda, a displaced man from Gaza City, said drones and tanks opened fire as people gathered for food. “Death follows you as long as you’re in Gaza,” he said. Another witness, Abdullah Barbakh, expressed disbelief: “Why call people for aid and then shoot at them?”
The Israeli military said it had no knowledge of injuries caused by its forces at the aid site but added the incident was under review. Separately, more casualties were reported at another aid location in central Gaza.
Despite Israel slightly easing its blockade, aid delivery remains limited. The UN has described Gaza as “the hungriest place on earth,” and aid agencies have reported theft and looting of supplies. Major organizations continue to refuse cooperation with GHF, criticizing it as a tool aligned with Israeli military interests.
Ceasefire Talks Stalled
Negotiations to reach a ceasefire and secure the release of hostages remain deadlocked. Hamas recently responded to a US-backed plan, calling for a permanent ceasefire—something Israel has long resisted. US envoy Steve Witkoff dismissed Hamas’s reply, urging the group to accept the existing proposal.
According to Israeli military figures, 57 of the 251 hostages taken during Hamas's October 7 attack remain in Gaza—34 of them are believed dead. Since Israel resumed its offensive on March 18, Gaza's health ministry reports that over 4,100 have been killed, pushing the total death toll to over 54,000, mostly civilians.
Hamas’s October 2023 attack killed 1,218 people in Israel, according to AFP tallies.
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