Israeli forces killed at least 36 Palestinians in Gaza on Saturday, including six near a U.S.-backed humanitarian aid distribution center, according to Gaza's civil defense agency. The incident occurred near the Al-Alam roundabout in Rafah, where residents had gathered to seek supplies from the Gaza Humanitarian Fund (GHF) facility.
Civil defense spokesman Mahmud Bassal stated the victims were targeted by Israeli troops during a morning gathering. The Israeli military told AFP it fired "warning shots" at individuals it claimed were advancing in a "threatening manner." This marks the second such incident near the GHF center this week, prompting temporary aid suspensions earlier.
The GHF confirmed it halted distributions Saturday due to "direct threats" from Hamas, though did not elaborate. Meanwhile, Israel announced the killing of Asaad Abu Sharia, a leader of the Hamas-aligned Mujahideen Brigades, during a separate operation in Gaza City. The group is accused of involvement in hostage deaths from Kibbutz Nir Oz.
Gaza's health ministry reported the war's total death toll has reached 54,772, with UN officials considering the figures credible. The escalation comes amid Israel's intensified military operations targeting Hamas infrastructure.
