Israeli Fire Kills 67 People Seeking Aid in Gaza, Medics Say
A tragic humanitarian disaster unfolded in northern Gaza on Sunday, as Israeli forces reportedly opened fire on a crowd of Palestinians waiting for food aid, killing at least 67 people and injuring more than 150 others, according to local medical officials. The incident occurred near the Zikim crossing, a known aid entry point into the besieged enclave, as thousands of starving residents gathered to receive desperately needed humanitarian supplies.
Eyewitnesses described scenes of panic and chaos. According to survivors, Israeli tanks and military vehicles approached the crowd before shots were fired. Some reports suggest warning shots escalated into live fire directed at the people waiting in line. Videos circulating on social media showed bodies scattered on the ground, with people rushing to carry the wounded to nearby clinics and hospitals.
The Gaza Health Ministry confirmed the death toll, adding that dozens of the wounded are in critical condition, straining already overwhelmed hospitals. Many of Gaza’s medical facilities have been damaged or are functioning with limited resources due to the ongoing blockade and military campaign.
The Israeli military acknowledged the incident but offered a different account, stating that its forces had responded with warning fire to a perceived threat in a “chaotic situation” near a humanitarian aid delivery point. Officials said they were investigating the reports of civilian deaths, but maintained that the area had become a dangerous and uncontrolled zone due to desperate crowds and the risk of infiltration by militants.
This is not the first time deadly violence has occurred near aid distribution sites in Gaza. In recent months, as famine conditions worsen, crowds have repeatedly gathered at aid points under Israeli control, hoping to secure food, water, and medicine. The UN and humanitarian agencies have documented multiple such incidents where civilians were killed or injured during aid deliveries.
The World Food Programme (WFP) has called the hunger crisis in Gaza “catastrophic,” with hundreds of thousands of people facing extreme food insecurity. The United Nations has repeatedly warned that the territory is on the brink of full-scale famine, especially in the north, where access to aid has been most limited.
International condemnation followed swiftly after Sunday’s incident. The UN and several human rights groups have called for an independent investigation and demanded better protection for civilians seeking humanitarian assistance. “No one should be killed for trying to access food,” a UN spokesperson said in Geneva.
Meanwhile, ceasefire talks between Israel and Hamas remain deadlocked despite international pressure. The fighting that began in October has resulted in more than 38,000 Palestinian deaths, according to Gaza’s health authorities, along with widespread destruction and displacement. Israeli officials insist that Hamas continues to pose a threat, justifying their continued military operations.
The deaths of 67 more Palestinians seeking aid highlights the deepening humanitarian tragedy in Gaza and raises serious concerns about the conduct of military operations in populated civilian areas. As famine looms and casualties rise, pressure is mounting on international actors to enforce a ceasefire and ensure that humanitarian corridors remain open and protected from violence.