Six Palestinians Killed Near Gaza Aid Site in Latest Shooting Incident

Key Information:

• Fatalities: Six Palestinians were killed and several were wounded near an aid centre in southern Gaza, according to Hamas-run Civil Defence.
• GHF Accusation: The US-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF) said it closed its sites Saturday due to threats from Hamas.
• Israeli Military: The IDF stated it fired warning shots at "suspects" advancing in a threatening manner.
• Distribution Challenges: GHF hubs have faced repeated shutdowns due to violence, overcrowding, and now, alleged intimidation.
• Humanitarian Fallout: Aid groups and the UN criticise the current aid model for exposing civilians to danger and failing to meet needs.

Six Palestinians have been killed and several others wounded near a food distribution centre in southern Gaza, according to Hamas-affiliated authorities, in what is the latest deadly incident to strike desperate crowds seeking humanitarian aid. The Hamas-run Civil Defence agency said the shooting occurred on Saturday morning as civilians attempted to reach the US- and Israeli-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF) hub, where food deliveries have faced repeated disruption amid ongoing conflict.

The Israeli military acknowledged that it had opened fire, but claimed the shots were intended as a warning aimed at individuals they described as "threatening." While details remain contested, eyewitnesses have reportedly said that the firing began when people advanced toward the aid location. It’s the latest in a string of violent encounters around the controversial GHF sites, which are situated within or near active military zones, drawing growing criticism from humanitarian agencies and the United Nations.

The GHF, launched to bypass the UN’s traditional aid network, has become a lightning rod for criticism. After pausing operations on Saturday, the organisation cited "safety concerns" and a need to reassess logistics, though it also blamed Hamas for issuing threats, an accusation the group denies. Aid agencies argue that the new system leaves civilians vulnerable and cannot meet Gaza’s overwhelming humanitarian needs. According to UNICEF, the food parcels distributed — even when available — are insufficient to sustain the health and well-being of children.

The incident comes amid worsening violence across Gaza. Civil Defence officials said that, on the same day, Israeli air strikes killed at least 15 people at a residential site in Gaza City. The IDF claimed the raid targeted the leader of the Mujahideen Brigades, a Palestinian faction accused of involvement in the 7 October attacks, and linked to the kidnapping of foreign nationals. One such victim, a Thai national, was reportedly recovered during a recent Israeli operation in Rafah.

Since aid resumed through the GHF following a months-long blockade, medical teams have reported being overwhelmed by gunshot victims arriving from aid sites. At least 100 Palestinians have been killed near these centres since late May, according to Gaza health authorities. Witnesses and medical staff describe chaotic scenes: children and the elderly among the injured, people struck while approaching supply hubs under the cover of darkness, and morgues filled to capacity.

Amid calls for accountability, the IDF says it is investigating multiple incidents, while continuing to blame Hamas for manipulating civilians and endangering lives. However, critics argue that the blame lies with the aid strategy itself, which forces desperate crowds through militarised zones in the hope of securing food. Humanitarian leaders argue the system is "unworkable" and fraught with risk. The UN continues to call for a restoration of its aid mechanisms, warning that Gaza’s 2 million residents remain on the brink of famine.

Source: Al Jazeera, BBC, AP