Gaza Crisis Deepens: Aid Hub Shooting Kills Dozens Amid Escalating Humanitarian Catastrophe

A recent horrific incident in southern Gaza saw at least 32 Palestinians killed and over 100 injured when Israeli forces reportedly opened fire on desperate crowds seeking food from aid distribution centers. Witnesses on the ground described the event as a “massacre,” alleging that Israel Defense Forces (IDF) fired “indiscriminately” at groups, primarily young men, attempting to reach hubs operated by the US- and Israeli-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF).

The majority of fatalities, attributed to “Israeli gunfire” by civil defense agency spokesperson Mahmud Bassal, occurred in the Teina area, near a GHF aid distribution center east of Khan Younis. Medical sources reported many wounded are in critical condition, with witnesses claiming children and teenagers were among the dead and injured. Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis received 25 bodies and dozens of wounded, while nine others were killed near a center north-west of Rafah.

Dr. Atef al-Hout, director of Nasser Hospital, highlighted the “unprecedented number of casualties in a very short time” and warned of a potentially higher death toll, lamenting the severe lack of equipment, medicine, and personnel. The GHF, established to replace UN-led aid systems, stated no incidents occurred at its sites, claiming the shootings happened far from its locations and hours before opening. The Israeli military confirmed firing “warning shots” near Rafah at a group ignoring warnings, stating they are investigating but noted the incident occurred when centers were closed.

Eyewitnesses recounted harrowing details, with Mahmoud Mokeimar describing a “massacre” as troops fired on advancing crowds. Akram Aker reported machine gun fire from tanks and drones, stating, “They encircled us and started firing directly at us.” The incident further exacerbates the catastrophic humanitarian crisis in Gaza, where over 2 million Palestinians face famine. This tragedy follows a recent stampede near a GHF hub that killed 19 people. Negotiations for a truce and hostage release between Israeli and Hamas negotiators remain ongoing, with international efforts continuing to seek a resolution to the escalating violence and humanitarian disaster.

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