Gaza's civil defense agency reported Sunday that Israeli forces opened fire on crowds of Palestinians gathering to receive humanitarian aid, leaving 93 dead and dozens injured. The incident marks one of the deadliest days for civilians seeking assistance since aid distribution challenges escalated in the region.
According to agency spokesman Mahmud Basal, 80 fatalities occurred as truckloads of aid arrived in northern Gaza, while nine were killed near Rafah in the south. Four additional deaths were reported near Khan Yunis, where similar violence occurred just 24 hours earlier.
A 25-truck UN World Food Programme convoy carrying food supplies encountered "massive crowds of hungry civilians which came under gunfire" near Gaza City after crossing from Israel, the agency confirmed. Israel's military acknowledged firing warning shots near Gaza City but disputed the casualty figures, claiming soldiers acted "to remove an immediate threat."
The UN reported nearly 800 aid-seeker deaths since late May, while Gaza health authorities estimate 995 fatalities during aid distribution efforts. The escalating violence highlights growing risks for civilians and humanitarian workers attempting to navigate the conflict zone.
