Key Points
- At least 36 Palestinians were killed and over 200 injured as Israeli forces fired near a Gaza aid distribution site on Tuesday.
- The incident is the deadliest shooting near an aid center since the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation began operations last month.
- Israel’s 20-month blockade and military campaign have pushed Gaza to the brink of famine, with over 163 killed and nearly 1,500 wounded near aid sites since May.
- Israeli military claims it fired warning shots at people approaching troops in a military zone, while aid groups insist there was no violence at the distribution points.
- Ceasefire talks are reportedly making “meaningful progress,” but leaders warn it is too early for optimism.
Gaza: At least 36 Palestinians were killed and 207 wounded early Tuesday when Israeli forces opened fire near a humanitarian aid distribution site in central Gaza, according to the Palestinian Health Ministry. The shooting, which occurred before dawn, marks the highest death toll at an aid site since the Israeli- and U.S.-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation began distributing food packages last month.
Eyewitnesses and medical staff reported that crowds had gathered hours before the site was scheduled to open, hoping to secure desperately needed supplies as Gaza teeters on the edge of famine after 20 months of blockade and military operations. Most of the injured suffered gunshot wounds, with hospitals in central and northern Gaza overwhelmed by casualties.
Israeli Military Admits Firing, Cites Security Concerns
The Israeli military acknowledged firing “warning shots” at what it described as “suspects” who approached troops hundreds of meters from the aid site, claiming they posed a threat. The military emphasized that the shots were fired before the distribution center opened and insisted that the number of casualties reported by Palestinian authorities did not match their own data.
The Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, which runs the aid centers, stated there has been no violence at or directly around its distribution points. However, the group has repeatedly warned civilians to use only designated access routes and temporarily halted deliveries last week to negotiate improved safety with the Israeli military.
Gaza’s Humanitarian Disaster Deepens
Humanitarian groups and experts say Israel’s ongoing blockade and military campaign have devastated Gaza, pushing its population to the brink of starvation. Since the new aid system was launched in late May, at least 163 people have been killed and nearly 1,500 injured in shootings near aid sites, which are located in military zones off-limits to independent media.
The war has destroyed much of Gaza’s infrastructure and displaced around 90% of its population, with women and children making up the majority of the nearly 55,000 Palestinians killed since October 2023, according to local health authorities.
Ceasefire Talks Show “Meaningful Progress,” But No Breakthrough Yet
As violence continues, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced “meaningful progress” in ongoing ceasefire and hostage negotiations with Hamas, though he cautioned that it is “too early to hope”. Foreign Minister Gideon Saar echoed this sentiment, noting some advancement in talks that could eventually lead to a truce and the release of Israeli hostages held in Gaza.
Netanyahu met with senior defense officials and negotiators Tuesday evening to discuss the next steps, as international pressure mounts for a ceasefire and increased humanitarian access.
