36 Palestinians Killed Seeking Desperately Needed Aid in Gaza/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ At least 36 Palestinians were killed and over 200 injured Tuesday as they tried to access humanitarian aid in Gaza. The deaths add to a growing toll amid Israel’s military campaign and widespread hunger. The incident reignites criticism over aid distribution methods and the ongoing conflict’s humanitarian impact.
Gaza Aid Tragedy Quick Looks
- 36 Palestinians killed, 207 wounded while trying to access aid
- Shots fired near aid sites in central and southern Gaza
- Aid sites controlled by Israeli and U.S.-backed foundation
- Israel claims warning shots were used; locals say fire was “indiscriminate”
- Gaza Health Ministry reports mounting death toll and hunger crisis
- UN and major NGOs reject new Israel-U.S. aid system
- Three medics killed responding to airstrikes in Gaza City
- Ceasefire talks show “progress,” Netanyahu says cautiously
- Netanyahu proposes “sterile zone” in Rafah, critics call it forced expulsion
- War toll: Nearly 55,000 Palestinians killed, 90% displaced
Deep Look: 36 Killed in Gaza as Palestinians Shot While Seeking Aid
DEIR AL-BALAH, Gaza Strip — What began as a desperate search for food ended in tragedy Tuesday as Israeli forces opened fire near humanitarian aid sites in Gaza, killing 36 Palestinians and injuring 207 others, according to the Gaza Health Ministry.
The fatalities occurred at multiple distribution points across the enclave, as starving residents, driven by months of siege and war, converged in the early morning hours. It was the latest in a string of deadly incidents involving aid seekers since the war began in October 2023.
The Israeli military acknowledged firing “warning shots” at individuals it described as suspicious. However, Palestinian witnesses say the shooting was indiscriminate, targeting civilians who were simply trying to collect food.
“Every day, people are killed just trying to get food for their children,” said Abed Haniyah, a resident of Bureij refugee camp.
Gunfire Amid Aid Distribution
In southern Gaza, eight were killed near Rafah, now largely depopulated and controlled by Israeli forces. In northern Gaza, casualties included two men and a child. Most were being treated for gunshot wounds, according to Al-Awda Hospital.
Witnesses described the scene as chaotic and terrifying.
“Israeli drones and tanks opened fire,” said Mohammed Abu Hussein, who saw five people struck by bullets.
The Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, supported by the U.S. and Israel, operates the aid hubs. The foundation insists no violence has occurred within the sites but has paused deliveries while negotiating improved safety protocols with the Israeli military.
Ceasefire Talks and Political Messaging
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Foreign Minister Gideon Saar confirmed progress in ceasefire negotiations, which may lead to the return of some of the 55 remaining hostages. But Netanyahu cautioned it was “too early to hope.”
The Israeli cabinet convened late Tuesday to discuss next steps.
Meanwhile, three Palestinian medics were killed by an Israeli airstrike in Gaza City, as they responded to another attack. The Israeli military claimed it was targeting Hamas infrastructure, including rocket launchers, in dozens of recent strikes.
Controversy Over New Aid System
The current aid framework, led by Israel and the U.S., was meant to prevent aid from being diverted by Hamas. Yet, U.N. agencies and major humanitarian groups have rejected the system, arguing that it violates neutrality and forces desperate civilians into restricted areas.
Only three aid hubs are operational, surrounded by Israeli military zones. The U.N. says this limited access puts millions at risk and ignores its established distribution networks, which had previously reached all parts of Gaza.
“There is no evidence of systematic aid theft,” said a U.N. official speaking anonymously.
Netanyahu’s “Sterile Zone” Vision Draws Outrage
Netanyahu has also proposed a long-term “sterile zone” in Rafah, cleared of Hamas and, potentially, much of Gaza’s civilian population. The plan includes the “voluntary emigration” of Palestinians — a concept widely condemned by the international community as forced displacement.
“This is ethnic cleansing in disguise,” said a spokesperson for the Palestinian Authority.
A War with No End in Sight
The current war was ignited by Hamas’ Oct. 7, 2023 attack, which killed 1,200 Israelis and led to the capture of 251 hostages. Since then, Israel’s military campaign has devastated the Gaza Strip.
According to Gaza’s Health Ministry, nearly 55,000 Palestinians have been killed, including many women and children. The Israeli military claims over 20,000 Hamas fighters are among the dead, but offers no public evidence.
Nearly 90% of Gaza’s population has been displaced — many multiple times — while much of the territory lies in ruins.
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