TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The distribution of U.S. aid in Gaza has once again claimed lives. The Israeli forces have killed at least 32 Palestinians and injured hundreds more as desperate crowds gathered at two food distribution centers in Gaza.
The attacks took place at locations coordinated by the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation and Israel in Rafah and central Gaza, with 31 reported deaths in Rafah and one in central Gaza. More than 200 people were injured, many of them in critical condition.
Palestinian health officials accused Israel of turning the newly established aid distribution system into a deadly trap, describing it as a tool for mass murder and forced displacement of Gaza's population. Medical reports indicate that most of the victims suffered single gunshot wounds to the head or chest, indicating deliberate targeting.
Eyewitness Accounts
Eyewitnesses described the events in Rafah and central Gaza as an "ambush." Thousands of Palestinians were instructed to line up about 500 meters from the U.S. aid distribution center at Al-Alam roundabout in Rafah, local journalist Mohammed Ghareeb told Middle East Eye.
As the crowd approached, Israeli forces opened fire from various directions. Eyewitnesses described scenes of chaos as a quadcopter drone fired upon the crowd, followed by direct fire from Israeli troops and tear gas launched by U.S. security forces.
Arafat Siyam, who survived the shooting but lost his brother, said, "They told us to go to this humanitarian zone to receive food - then they killed us. The Americans are lying to us. They call it a humanitarian point then kill us there."
Marwa al-Naouq, who was present, recounted, "I was standing among the crowd, but when people started rushing toward the distribution point, I couldn’t move with them because there were hundreds pushing forward. Then a quadcopter appeared and began firing at them. After that, the Israeli army opened fire directly on the crowd, and American security forces fired tear gas canisters. Dozens were killed and injured as people ran in every direction, trying to escape."
Marwan al-Hems, overseeing a field hospital in southern Gaza, referred to the incident as a "massacre and slaughter," stating, "The occupation targeted hungry people as if these aid distribution centres were distributing death instead."
Hospitals in southern Gaza were overwhelmed, with patients lying in hallways and on the floor due to a lack of beds and medical supplies. "We tried to save as many as we could, but we lost some due to a shortage of blood," said al-Hems.
For Food, Willing to Sacrifice Lives
Hind Khoudary of Al Jazeera, reporting from Deir el-Balah in central Gaza, said that Palestinians were killed while trying to get "one meal for their children." Khoudary stated that hunger had driven Palestinians to these distribution points, even though they knew it was controversial. "The distribution points are backed by the U.S. and Israel, but they do not have any other option," she said.
According to Khoudary, even the packages distributed to Palestinians were barely enough. "We are talking about one kilo of flour, a couple of bags of pasta, a couple of cans of fava beans – and it’s not nutritious. It’s not enough for a family in Gaza nowadays," she said.
A Deadly Trap
UNRWA Commissioner Philippe Lazarini stated that the distribution of aid had turned into a deadly trap. He said this disgraceful system had forced thousands of starving and desperate people to walk tens of miles to an area that had been devastated by massive Israeli bombardments.
He insisted that the delivery and distribution of aid must be large-scale and secure. In Gaza, this can only be done through the UN, including UNRWA. He urged Israel to lift the siege and allow the UN full, safe, and unimpeded access to deliver and distribute aid.
He stated this is the only way to prevent mass hunger, including among 1 million children. "With competing narratives and disinformation campaigns in full gear, international media must be allowed into Gaza to independently report on the ongoing atrocities including this morning’s heinous crime," he said, as reported on the official UNRWA site.
Accusations
Hamas accused Israel of arming humanitarian aid as part of a broader genocide campaign. However, the Israeli military stated that they "are not aware of any injuries caused by [Israeli army] forces."
The Government Media Office in Gaza condemned the attack, describing GHF distribution points as "mass death traps, not humanitarian relief points."
The statement mentioned that what happened was the systematic and egregious use of aid as a war tool. "We confirm to the entire world that what is happening is a systematic and malicious use of aid as a tool of war, employed to blackmail starving civilians and forcibly gather them in exposed killing points, managed and monitored by the occupation army and funded and politically covered by … the U.S. administration," the statement said.
Denial
GHF told AP that Israeli soldiers fired "warning shots" as Palestinian civilians gathered to receive food. The group, as quoted by Al Jazeera, denied reports of dozens killed, mass injuries, and chaos as "false reports of death, mass injuries, and chaos."
The Israeli army stated in a Telegram message that they "are currently unaware of any injuries caused by Israeli fire at the location of humanitarian aid distribution" and that the incident is still under review.
Since the GHF operation began on May 27, 2025, Israeli forces have killed at least 49 Palestinians and injured 305 people at GHF-managed distribution centers, according to the media office. GHF, a controversial organization supported by the U.S. and sponsored by Israel, was established to cut off UN relief efforts in Gaza. Senior humanitarian officials have criticized the initiative and urged Israel to stop obstructing UN-led relief efforts.
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