Israeli Strikes Kill 22 Palestinians Seeking Gaza Food Aid/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ At least 22 Palestinians were killed as Israeli forces opened fire near food aid sites across Gaza. Witnesses described chaos as crowds sought relief supplies amid escalating strikes. The incidents highlight deepening humanitarian crises and fierce military operations.
Israeli Gaza Food Aid Attack Quick Looks
- Israeli forces fire on Palestinians seeking food aid
- 22 killed, 20 injured across southern and northern Gaza
- Witnesses describe indiscriminate firing on crowds
- Strikes hit UN aid warehouse in Gaza City
- Over 500 killed in aid distribution chaos this month
- Israel cites Hamas’ misuse of humanitarian aid as concern
- Military operations intensify in Gaza City, Jabaliya camp
- Civilians trapped, unable to reach emergency services
Deep Look
Israeli Strikes Kill 22 Palestinians As Chaos Erupts At Gaza Food Aid Sites
CAIRO — Israeli forces killed at least 22 Palestinians and wounded 20 more during chaotic incidents at food aid sites across Gaza on Monday, underscoring the mounting civilian toll amid Israel’s ongoing military campaign in the territory.
Hospitals, witnesses, and Gaza’s Health Ministry reported that deadly gunfire erupted as Palestinians attempted to collect desperately needed aid in southern Gaza. Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis said it received the bodies of 11 victims who were shot while returning from a site connected to the Israeli and U.S.-backed Gaza Humanitarian Fund (GHF). The incident adds to a grim toll of over 500 Palestinians killed during aid distributions over the past month, as aid convoys have become targets or flashpoints in the conflict.
Elsewhere, Gaza’s Health Ministry said 10 others were killed in northern Gaza when Israeli strikes hit a United Nations aid warehouse in Gaza City, though it remained unclear whether supplies were inside at the time of the strike. Another person was reported killed near a GHF hub in the southern city of Rafah.
Witnesses Detail Panic And Violence
Palestinian witnesses described harrowing scenes as troops advanced toward crowds seeking aid. Yousef Mahmoud Mokheimar, who was among dozens trying to leave the GHF aid site in Khan Younis, said Israeli troops in vehicles and tanks initially fired warning shots before unleashing live fire on the masses.
“They fired at us indiscriminately,” Mokheimar said, explaining that he was shot in the leg and saw another man wounded while attempting to rescue him. He also witnessed troops detaining six individuals, including three children, whose fate remains unknown. “We don’t know whether they are still alive,” he added.
Monzer Hisham Ismail offered a similar account, saying the group was attacked by Israeli artillery fire while departing the American-operated aid hub in eastern Khan Younis.
Israel Reviews The Incidents
The Israeli military announced it is reviewing details surrounding the reported shootings. Previously, the military has defended its practice of firing warning shots at crowds who approach troops or military zones too closely, even while collecting aid.
Israel and the United States have pushed for the Gaza Humanitarian Fund to replace previous United Nations-led aid distribution systems, alleging that Hamas has diverted supplies to sustain its militant operations. The U.N., however, denies any systematic theft of aid.
In response to the continuing chaos around aid deliveries, the Israeli military recently claimed it had implemented measures to improve order and safety, including new fencing, better signage, and additional routes to reach aid hubs.
Israeli officials continue to argue that their military targets only Hamas militants and infrastructure, blaming civilian casualties on the militants’ tactic of embedding operations in densely populated areas.
Bombardment Escalates Across Gaza
Meanwhile, the conflict’s intensity escalated further in northern Gaza. At least 10 Palestinians were confirmed killed when an Israeli strike hit an aid warehouse in Gaza City, the Health Ministry’s ambulance and emergency service reported. Whether food or supplies were stored there remains uncertain.
The warehouse strike came amid relentless Israeli bombardment across Gaza City and the Jabaliya refugee camp. Over Sunday and Monday, Israel issued broad evacuation orders, urging civilians to leave areas targeted for military operations.
Palestinians reported relentless overnight airstrikes, describing the attacks as a “scorched earth” campaign devastating empty buildings and civilian infrastructure.
“They destroy whatever is left standing … the sound of bombing hasn’t stopped,” said Gaza City resident Mohamed Mahdy, who fled his damaged home on Monday morning.
Emergency responders are struggling to cope. Fares Awad, head of Gaza’s Health Ministry emergency and ambulance services, said much of Gaza City and Jabaliya has become inaccessible due to intense bombardment, leaving ambulances unable to reach those trapped in debris.
The Israeli military stated that it had issued numerous warnings to civilians ahead of strikes targeting Hamas military command and control centers in northern Gaza, underscoring the complex, deadly intersection of military operations and a worsening humanitarian crisis.
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