Escalating Violence in Gaza: Over 30 Palestinians Killed Seeking Aid, West Bank Church Torched

On Saturday, July 19, 2025, Israeli forces opened fire on crowds of Palestinians attempting to access food distribution hubs in southern Gaza, resulting in the deaths of at least 32 people, according to witness accounts and hospital officials. The incidents occurred near centers operated by the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), an organization backed by the U.S. and Israel, which aims to provide aid amidst the ongoing conflict.

Witnesses described indiscriminate firing, with one individual, Mahmoud Mokeimar, stating troops fired warning shots before opening fire on a large group near a GHF aid distribution center in Khan Younis. Another witness, Akram Aker, reported machine gun fire from tanks and drones. Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis confirmed receiving 25 bodies and 70 wounded, many with gunshot wounds to the head and chest. The GHF, while acknowledging no incidents at its sites, reiterated warnings against overnight travel to its hubs. The Israeli army stated it fired warning shots near Rafah after suspects approached troops, claiming the site was closed overnight.

These latest casualties underscore the severe humanitarian crisis gripping Gaza’s over two million residents. Aid distribution often devolves into chaos, with crowds surging for supplies. Beyond the aid-related shootings, other strikes across Gaza over the past day claimed further lives, including an airstrike on a tent camp in Gaza City and another on a house in Sheikh Radwan.

The current escalation comes 21 months after Hamas initiated the conflict on October 7, 2023. While ceasefire talks continue in Qatar, no significant breakthroughs have been reported. Calls for an end to the war and the return of the remaining 50 hostages persist, with rallies held in Tel Aviv advocating for a resolution.

Adding to the regional tensions, U.S. Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee condemned the torching of the Church of St. George in the Palestinian Christian village of Taybeh in the occupied West Bank on July 9, 2025. Residents attribute the attack to extremist Israeli settlers, highlighting a surge in settler violence since the Gaza war began, with few perpetrators facing consequences.

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