Khan Younis – At least 70 Palestinians were killed Tuesday morning when Israeli forces opened fire on a crowd gathered near an aid distribution point in Khan Younis. Witnesses say Israeli tanks, drones, and machine guns targeted the area, where hundreds had assembled hoping to receive flour.
Medical teams at Nasser Hospital confirmed that more than 200 people were wounded. Gaza Civil Defense officials reported drone strikes followed by tank fire that hit the crowd. “The area was full of civilians. The shells landed among them without warning,” said Mahmoud Bassal, a spokesman.
It marked the deadliest day at any Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF) site since the food distribution program launched on May 26. The previous day’s toll stood at 38 dead, mostly in Rafah. In total, 338 people have died and more than 2,800 have been injured trying to reach food at these locations, according to United Nations data updated Monday.
Eyewitnesses describe scenes of devastation.
“People were lying motionless in pools of blood. No one could help. The soldiers kept firing,” said Yousef Nofal, who called it a massacre.
Mohammed Abu Qeshfa, another survivor, said, “Tanks shelled the area, and bullets flew everywhere. I survived by chance.”
A third witness, Saeed Abu Liba, said, “Children and adults were shredded to pieces. We couldn’t save anyone.”
Medical personnel at Nasser Hospital said many victims could not be identified because of the damage to their bodies. Al Jazeera’s Tareq Abu Azzoum reported that staff described the injuries as “beyond recognition.”
The GHF system was launched with support from Israel and the United States after Israel partially lifted its blockade on aid. The United Nations and major humanitarian organizations have refused to work with the GHF. They argue the system bypasses experienced aid agencies and forces civilians into deadly zones under tight Israeli control.
The UN Secretary-General condemned the latest killings. “It is unacceptable that people are being shot at while trying to feed their families,” said Deputy Spokesperson Farhan Haq during a press briefing in New York.
Israel has not released a formal statement on Tuesday’s deaths. In prior incidents, the military said troops fired warning shots at people it described as suspects near their positions. No evidence has been provided to confirm whether warning shots were responsible for injuries or deaths.
The violence comes amid growing fears of famine in Gaza. With more than 2.3 million residents facing severe shortages of food, water, and medicine, aid groups warn that the new system is failing. The blockade has kept most aid out, and only small quantities have reached the population through GHF-run sites.
The World Health Organization said Tuesday that 17 of Gaza’s 36 hospitals remain minimally functional. “No fuel has entered Gaza for over 100 days,” said Rik Peeperkorn, WHO’s local representative. “Hospitals are collapsing. Medical supplies are running out. Patients are dying due to lack of care.”
The air and ground offensive in Gaza began in October after a Hamas-led attack killed 1,139 people in Israel. More than 55,400 Palestinians have been killed in the conflict, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry. Nearly 129,000 have been injured. The violence continues with no ceasefire in place.
Tuesday’s massacre in Khan Younis underscores the lethal risk for Palestinians trying to survive a war and a blockade. Aid meant to save lives has now become a trigger for death.
