27 Palestinians killed near Gaza aid site in Israeli fire

At least 27 Palestinians were killed and dozens more wounded after Israeli forces opened fire near an aid distribution site in northern Gaza, according to officials from the Hamas-run Civil Defence agency.

The deadly incident, which occurred near the al-Alam roundabout, approximately one kilometre from the designated aid centre, marks another grim chapter in the deepening humanitarian crisis engulfing the enclave.

Mahmoud Basal, a spokesman for the Civil Defence agency, said that civilians gathering in search of food and basic supplies came under fire from Israeli tanks, helicopters, and quadcopter drones. “These were unarmed civilians hoping for a lifeline,” Basal said. “Instead, they faced a barrage of bullets.”

The Israeli military acknowledged that its forces had opened fire but said the shooting was targeted at individuals who had deviated from the “designated access routes” set up for aid collection. In a statement, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said: “Following identification of several suspects approaching our forces in a manner that posed a threat, troops responded with live fire. The incident is under review.”

The clash comes just days after a similar confrontation on Sunday, when at least 31 Palestinians were killed and nearly 200 wounded during another aid distribution attempt. Israel denied responsibility for those deaths, despite a wide body of testimony from eyewitnesses, humanitarian groups, and medical staff who described scenes of chaos and bloodshed caused by Israeli gunfire.

“We heard bullets everywhere — from above, from tanks, from the skies,” said Samir al-Haddad, a 38-year-old father of three who was at the scene on Monday. “People were falling next to sacks of flour. We are starving, but is aid worth dying for?”

International humanitarian agencies have repeatedly warned of catastrophic conditions in Gaza, where months of fighting and a punishing blockade have crippled infrastructure and led to widespread food shortages. The UN estimates that over 80% of Gaza’s population is now dependent on external assistance for survival, with distribution efforts frequently disrupted by military operations and security concerns.

Human rights organizations have condemned what they describe as Israel’s “excessive use of force” against desperate civilians.

“Firing on people seeking food is unconscionable and must be thoroughly investigated,” said Omar Shakir, Israel and Palestine Director at Human Rights Watch. “This is not the first such incident, and the pattern is deeply alarming.”

The Israeli government maintains that Hamas militants have used aid sites as cover for attacks, complicating efforts to safely deliver humanitarian assistance.

“We are taking all necessary precautions to protect civilians,” an IDF spokesperson insisted. “But we will not allow our soldiers to be endangered.”

Calls for an independent inquiry into both this week’s and Sunday’s incidents are mounting. Several European Union officials, as well as the United Nations, have demanded a full accounting of the use of lethal force in areas crowded with civilians.

With ceasefire talks stalled and hostilities continuing, the situation in Gaza shows no sign of improvement. For the thousands lining up daily in search of food, each trip carries the risk of becoming another casualty statistic.

“People are no longer afraid of death,” said Basal. “They are just afraid of dying hungry.”