Over 20 killed as "Israeli" forces open fire at Gaza aid distribution site

More than 20 people were killed Sunday at an aid distribution point in the Gaza Strip, according to a hospital operated by the Red Cross that received the victims’ bodies.

The aid site is run by the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), an American organization backed by the Israeli Occupation.

Witnesses told the Associated Press (AP) that the Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF) opened fire on crowds heading toward the distribution center in Rafah. “There were many martyrs, including women,” a 40-year-old local resident said. “We were about 300 metres away from the military.”

Read more: ‘Just like Auschwitz’: Aerial footage of Gaza aid lines sparks outrage

Dozens of injured people were being treated at the hospital, with officials reporting around 175 wounded in total. The field hospital did not specify who fired but confirmed the scale of casualties. An AP reporter observed the treatment of many patients at the scene.

The IOF stated they were “currently unaware” of injuries caused by their fire and said they were investigating the incident. Meanwhile, the GHF claimed in a statement that their aid delivery early Sunday took place “without incident” and denied previous reports of gunfire or chaos at their sites, which lie in IOF zones where independent access is restricted.

Ibrahim Abu Saoud, a witness, said IOF soldiers fired from about 300 metres away and described seeing many with gunshot wounds, including a young man who died at the scene. “We weren’t able to help him,” he said.

Another witness, Mohammed Abu Teaima, 33, said he saw the IOF shoot and kill his cousin and another woman on their way to the distribution hub. “They opened heavy fire directly toward us,” he said, waiting for news about his wounded relative outside the hospital.

The distribution point is part of a new, controversial system of aid delivery. The IOF has not commented directly on this latest shooting, and the GHF said its private security personnel did not open fire on the crowd.

Tensions around the sites remain high. On 28 May, Hamas accused "Israel" of killing at least three Palestinians and injuring 46 near one of GHF’s centers—claims "Israel" denied, stating their troops fired warning shots to restore order as thousands rushed the aid point.

"Israel" has imposed a blockade on all supplies into Gaza since March, citing concerns that Hamas was diverting aid for military use—a claim denied by the group. A global hunger monitor recently reported that half a million Gazans face starvation.

The International Planning Committee (IPC) warned nearly 71,000 children under five in Gaza are expected to suffer from acute malnutrition in the coming 11 months, with over 14,000 cases likely to be severe.

The UN and other humanitarian groups have rejected the new distribution system, arguing it cannot meet the needs of Gaza’s 2.3 million people and effectively allows "Israel" to use food as leverage over the population. They also warned that friction between the IOF and desperate aid seekers could escalate violence.

These organizations have also questioned the capacity of the newly formed GHF, which lacks experience in managing aid logistics on such a large scale in an active conflict zone—a concern underscored by recent violent incidents.

Philippe Lazzarini, head of the UN agency for Palestinian refugees (UNRWA), criticized the new US-backed model, calling it “a waste of resources and a distraction from atrocities.”

“We already have an aid distribution system that is fit for purpose,” Lazzarini said. “The humanitarian community in Gaza, including UNRWA, is ready. We have the experience and expertise to reach people in need. Meanwhile, the clock is ticking towards famine, so humanitarian [work] must be allowed to do its life-saving work now.”

The deadly aid center shooting coincides with recent developments in ceasefire negotiations. On Saturday, Hamas announced it had submitted an amended response to a proposal by US Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff, marking the most concrete progress towards a truce since March.

Read more: Hamas submits response to Steve Witkoff’s ceasefire proposal

Hamas said the deal would include releasing 10 living captives and 18 bodies in exchange for "Israeli" release of Palestinian prisoners.

The updated proposal also demands an end to the war, a condition "Israel" had previously rejected, and suggests the staged release of captives over 60 days rather than in two initial batches.

Witkoff dismissed Hamas’s response as “totally unacceptable and only takes us backward,” urging immediate acceptance of the original framework to advance proximity talks.

The "Israeli" Prime Minister’s office stated: “While Israel has agreed to the updated Witkoff outline for the release of our hostages, Hamas continues to adhere to its refusal … Israel will continue its action for the return of our hostages and the defeat of Hamas.”

A senior Hamas official said the group “did not reject” the captive release proposal but called Witkoff’s reaction “unfair” and biased toward "Israel".