At Least 32 Killed As Israeli Troops Open Fire On Gazans Seeking Aid

 

At least 32 Palestinians were killed and dozens injured after Israeli troops reportedly opened fire on civilians trying to access food aid in Gaza, according to the Palestinian health ministry and eyewitnesses. The bodies and wounded were taken to Nasser Medical Complex, where scenes of grief and chaos unfolded.

Video footage from the hospital showed lines of corpses and desperate relatives. One grieving father, cradling his son’s body, said, “He just wanted to eat, what could I do?”

The precise location of the shooting remains unclear. Witness Hisham Dargam said it happened approximately four kilometers (2.5 miles) from an aid distribution site operated by the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), an Israeli- and US-backed organization.

“Gunfire erupted from soldiers and tanks, as if they were in a battle with us,” Dargam said.

The Israeli military stated that its troops had identified “suspects” approaching them in the Rafah area, about one kilometer from the GHF site, at night when the site was not active. Troops reportedly fired warning shots, and the military said it was investigating reports of casualties.

GHF denied that any violence occurred at or near its distribution points on the day in question. “The reported IDF activity occurred hours before our sites opened,” the organization stated, noting that many casualties were recorded several kilometers from its nearest aid location. GHF reiterated warnings against approaching its facilities overnight or in early morning hours.

Despite these advisories, many Gazans say they are forced to arrive long before aid distribution begins due to overwhelming need and limited resources. With transportation scarce, most must walk long distances on foot. Food remains desperately limited in the Gaza Strip, and UN agencies have repeatedly warned of looming famine.

A doctor at Nasser hospital, Travis Melin, described the injuries as severe, with many victims suffering gunshot wounds to the head and torso.

Since GHF began operations in Gaza in May, nearly 800 civilians have been killed while attempting to access aid, according to the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights. Of those, 615 reportedly died near GHF distribution points.

“Food here is a luxury of the privileged,” Dr. Melin said. “If you have money, you might afford food. Everyone else goes to these massacre sites, knowing the danger.”

The UN Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA), which provides aid to Palestinian refugees, called the current system a “death trap” and demanded it be allowed to resume leadership of humanitarian efforts in the territory.

Ceasefire Talks Continue Amid Growing Frustration

While violence on the ground intensifies, negotiations for a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas remain stalled.

Former U.S. President Donald Trump expressed optimism, claiming that most hostages had been returned and that more would be freed “very shortly.” He praised the efforts of Middle East Envoy Steve Witkoff, describing progress as near.

However, both Israel and Hamas issued statements Friday accusing the other side of delaying negotiations. Hamas warned that without clear progress toward a permanent end to the war, it “cannot guarantee” any future pauses in fighting.

The militant group also threatened to withhold the release of 10 living hostages unless Israel agrees to broader demands. Hamas spokesperson Abu Obaida criticized Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government, alleging a lack of concern for the captives “because they are soldiers.”

An Israeli official, meanwhile, said that Hamas’ refusal to discuss the “release key”—a framework for hostage exchanges—was holding up progress. The official insisted that Israel was willing to be flexible but accused Hamas of “foot-dragging.”

Despite diplomatic efforts, the ground situation remains dire for civilians in Gaza, caught between hunger, violence, and political stalemate.