The Gaza Civil Defence Agency reported that Israeli forces opened fire on a crowd of Palestinians seeking humanitarian aid in northern Gaza on Sunday, resulting in the deaths of at least 67 individuals and injuring many more. The incident occurred as a convoy from the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) attempted to deliver essential supplies, encountering large crowds amid ongoing shortages of food and medical supplies.
According to the WFP, its 25-truck convoy carrying food aid came under fire shortly after crossing the border from Israel and clearing checkpoints. Witnesses described chaotic scenes as thousands gathered at aid distribution points, leading to deadly overcrowding. The Israeli military disputed the reported death toll, asserting that soldiers had fired warning shots due to perceived threats from the crowd near Gaza City.
The situation in Gaza has become increasingly dire, with civilian deaths during aid-seeking missions becoming more frequent. The UN indicated earlier this month that nearly 800 aid-seekers had been killed since late May, including those caught in the crossfire of aid convoys. In a separate incident in southern Gaza, six additional fatalities were reported near an aid distribution centre in Rafah, where similar violence occurred just a day prior.
Witness accounts reveal the desperation of those seeking aid. Qasem Abu Khater, 36, described rushing to obtain a bag of flour only to be met with a chaotic scene where “tanks were firing shells randomly” and “Israeli sniper soldiers were shooting as if they were hunting animals.” He lamented the loss of life, stating, “Dozens of people were martyred right before my eyes and no one could save anyone.”
The spokesman for the Gaza Civil Defence Agency, Mahmud Bassal, confirmed the death toll of 67 and predicted it might increase. The WFP condemned the violence against civilians as “completely unacceptable.” Due to media restrictions and difficulties accessing certain areas in Gaza, independent verification of casualty figures remains challenging.
Israel’s military has maintained that it strives to minimize civilian harm. Earlier this month, it announced new operational guidelines for troops on the ground, reportedly informed by previous incidents involving civilian casualties. The current conflict escalated following a surprise attack by Hamas on Israel on October 7, 2023, which resulted in the deaths of at least 1,219 people, primarily civilians, based on an AFP tally derived from official figures. In retaliation, Israel’s military campaign has claimed the lives of 58,895 Palestinians, predominantly civilians, according to the Gaza health ministry.
In a statement reflecting on the humanitarian crisis, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu expressed sorrow to Pope Leo XIV over a “stray” munition that killed three individuals sheltering at the Holy Family Church in Gaza City. Following a recent Israeli strike on the enclave’s only Catholic church, the pope criticized the “barbarity” of the ongoing conflict and urged for peace. He called on the international community to uphold humanitarian law, emphasizing the need to protect civilians and prevent collective punishment.
In a rare visit to Gaza, Pierbattista Pizzaballa, the Catholic Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, held mass at the church on Sunday. His visit underscored the dire situation, as most of Gaza’s population of over two million has been displaced at least once during the ongoing war. Repeated evacuation orders have added to the distress in the region.
On Sunday morning, the Israeli military ordered residents and displaced Palestinians in the Deir el-Balah area to move southward immediately. The military’s Arabic-language spokesman, Avichay Adraee, indicated that Israel was “expanding its activities” against Hamas in areas where it had not previously operated. This announcement raised concerns among families of hostages taken during the initial attack on October 7, as they feared for the safety of their loved ones amid escalating military operations.
While delegations from Israel and Hamas have engaged in indirect talks for a proposed 60-day ceasefire and the release of hostages, the situation in Gaza remains critical. Of the 251 hostages abducted during the Hamas attack, 49 are still held in Gaza, with the Israeli military speculating that 27 may be deceased.
As both humanitarian aid efforts and military operations continue, the plight of civilians in Gaza remains an urgent issue, drawing international attention and calls for immediate action to safeguard those affected by the ongoing conflict.
