Tragedy in Gaza: Civilian casualties amid aid efforts

Wednesday 11 June 2025 - 10:03

By: Zahouani Ilham

Tragedy in Gaza: Civilian casualties amid aid efforts

The Gaza Civil Defense Agency reported that 31 individuals lost their lives and around 200 were injured on Wednesday due to Israeli gunfire directed at those waiting to enter a food distribution center.

Mahmud Bassal, a spokesman for the civil defense, stated, "We transported at least 31 martyrs and about 200 wounded from Israeli tank and drone fire targeting thousands of citizens on their way to receive food from the American aid center."

As of now, the Israeli military has not issued a response. Bassal noted that thousands of Palestinians began gathering around 2 a.m. in hopes of accessing the US and Israeli-supported distribution center.

"Israeli tanks fired multiple rounds before intensifying their attacks around 5:30 a.m., coinciding with drone strikes aimed at civilians," he explained. Medical officials from Shifa and Al-Quds Hospitals reported that at least 25 people died as they approached the aid site near the former Netzarim settlement, southwest of Gaza City. Additionally, ten people were killed in separate Israeli strikes in Khan Younis, located in the southern part of the enclave.

Due to media restrictions in the Gaza Strip and the challenges of on-ground access, the reported death tolls cannot be independently verified.

This incident is part of a series of deadly shootings since the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF) opened aid distribution points on May 27, amidst increasing international criticism of Israel's humanitarian response. Following similar occurrences, the Israeli army claimed they fired warning shots to deter "suspects" approaching their troops.

The conflict escalated after Hamas militants took 251 hostages and killed 1,200 individuals, primarily civilians, during a deadly attack on October 7, 2023. Since then, Israeli military actions have reportedly resulted in nearly 55,000 Palestinian deaths, mostly among civilians, and have devastated much of the coastal enclave.