Israeli Gunfire Kills 51 Palestinians Seeking Gaza Food Aid/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ At least 51 Palestinians were killed and over 200 wounded in Gaza while waiting for aid. Witnesses report an Israeli airstrike followed by live fire on a desperate crowd near Khan Younis. Israeli military confirms gunfire occurred but claims the incident is under investigation.
Gaza Aid Deaths Quick Looks
- Fatal aid wait: 51 killed, 200+ injured awaiting food aid in Khan Younis.
- Witness accounts: Israeli strike and gunfire allegedly targeted fleeing civilians.
- Military response: IDF admits firing on crowd, promises investigation.
- Humanitarian collapse: Rival aid networks fail to meet Gaza’s dire needs.
- Rising toll: Over 55,300 Palestinians killed since Israel’s campaign began.
Israeli Gunfire Kills 51 Palestinians Seeking Gaza Food Aid
Deep Look
Deadly Scene at Gaza Aid Line
In a tragic escalation of Gaza’s humanitarian crisis, at least 51 Palestinians were killed and more than 200 wounded while waiting near an aid convoy in Khan Younis, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry.
Witnesses described chaos as an Israeli airstrike hit a nearby home, followed by gunfire that rained down on the crowd. Victims were rushed to Nasser Hospital, where health workers confirmed the rising toll.
Eyewitnesses Describe ‘Massacre’
“I saw people falling, motionless, bleeding,” said Yousef Nofal, who called the incident a “massacre.” Another survivor, Mohammed Abu Qeshfa, recounted a loud explosion, heavy shooting, and tank shelling: “I survived by a miracle.”
Samaher Meqdad, searching for family members at the hospital, broke down: “We don’t want flour or food. Why shoot at our young people? Aren’t we human?”
IDF Acknowledges Gunfire
The Israeli military confirmed gunfire occurred, stating that troops observed a crowd gathering near a stalled aid truck and fired when people approached. “There are reports of several casualties from IDF gunfire,” said the statement, which added the incident was under review.
This marks the latest of multiple such incidents where crowds seeking aid have been fired upon, with the IDF previously stating that warning shots were used in suspicious scenarios.
Gaza’s Aid Systems in Conflict
This incident appears separate from the U.S. and Israeli-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, a controversial private aid network launched last month. The new delivery system has been criticized by the United Nations and international NGOs, which claim it violates humanitarian norms and allows Israel undue control.
The UN-led system, operating since the war’s start, has struggled with Israeli restrictions, lawlessness, and rampant looting, making consistent aid delivery nearly impossible.
Humanitarian Crisis and Risk of Famine
Gaza, home to nearly 2 million Palestinians, faces imminent famine, according to humanitarian experts. Aid access remains severely limited, despite the end of a two-month Israeli blockade in mid-May.
UN agencies insist there is no significant diversion of aid to Hamas, countering Israeli claims that tighter control is necessary to prevent militant funding.
Mounting Civilian Deaths
The Gaza Health Ministry reports over 55,300 Palestinians killed since Israel’s military campaign began in October 2023—more than half women and children. The tally includes both civilians and fighters.
Israel launched the campaign following Hamas’ Oct. 7 attack that killed around 1,200 people in southern Israel and resulted in 251 hostages. Fifty-three hostages remain, less than half of whom are believed to be alive.
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