At least 27 aid seekers killed by Israeli gunfire in Gaza, says Health Ministry
Death toll near aid distribution centers rises as Israeli forces reportedly kill 27 more people near Rafah in southern Gaza
Israeli forces have reportedly killed at least 27 Palestinians and injured 90 others after opening fire near an aid distribution site in Rafah, according to Gaza's Ministry of Health.
The incident occurred early Tuesday at the Flag Roundabout, close to an aid center run by the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF) in southern Gaza.
Israeli forces have killed at least 27 Palestinians and injured 90 others after opening fire near an aid distribution center in Rafah, southern Gaza, according to the Ministry of Health. The incident took place early Tuesday at the Flag Roundabout, close to a distribution hub operated by the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF).
This marks the third such deadly event near the Rafah hub in as many days. Gaza’s authorities report that over 100 Palestinians seeking aid have been killed since the U.S.- and Israel-backed GHF began operating on May 27, amid mounting reports of violence, looting, and chaos.
The Israeli military stated that it had fired upon “a number of suspects” who deviated from designated aid routes. These individuals were reportedly around 500 meters from the aid site. The military said it was reviewing reports of casualties.
Zaher al-Waheidi, head of the Gaza Health Ministry’s records department, confirmed the death toll. The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) reported that 184 wounded were brought to its field hospital in Rafah 19 were dead on arrival, and eight later succumbed to their injuries.
The Gaza Government Media Office condemned the incident as “a horrific, intentionally repeated crime,” accusing Israel of luring desperate Palestinians to aid centers only to open fire on them. It noted that since GHF began operations, at least 102 people have been killed and 490 injured near aid sites in the Rafah governorate and the Netzarim Corridor.
Following Tuesday’s events, the GHF announced a temporary suspension of its aid operations for “updates, reorganization, and efficiency improvements.” Distribution centers will remain closed on Wednesday and are expected to reopen on Thursday. Entry to the sites is prohibited until then.
On Monday, the United Nations called for an independent investigation into the repeated shootings. UN Secretary-General António Guterres declared, “It is unacceptable that Palestinians are risking their lives for food,” demanding accountability and justice for the victims.
Eyewitness accounts echoed the same pattern of violence seen over the past three days. “There was gunfire from all directions,” said witness Rasha al-Nahal, who told the Associated Press she saw numerous bodies on the road and was shot at again as she returned from the aid center only to find no aid available.
Neima al-Aaraj, another witness from Khan Younis, described the shooting as “indiscriminate” and vowed not to return. “Either way, we will die,” she said.
In a statement on Telegram, the Israeli military claimed it had fired warning shots at people who strayed from designated access points and only escalated force after the “suspects failed to retreat.” It denied deliberately targeting civilians or blocking access to humanitarian aid.
The latest deaths follow similar incidents in recent days 31 Palestinians were reportedly killed on Sunday and another three on Monday fueling international concern over the worsening humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
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