Mass Casualty Event in Khan Younis Marks Latest Tragedy in Gaza Food Crisis
Gaza aid killings: Israeli fire killed at least 51 Palestinians and injured over 200 as they waited for aid in southern Gaza, according to the Palestinian Ministry of Health.
The incident occurred in Khan Younis, one of the hardest-hit areas in the ongoing war. Eyewitnesses described scenes of horror as civilians gathered to receive desperately needed flour and bread.
Eyewitnesses Describe Carnage, Deny Threats
A witness, Mohammed Abu Abed, told CNN that two missiles hit the crowd waiting for flour trucks. “They killed people, unarmed people who had nothing on them,” he said. Seeking bread for their children ended in cold-blooded killing.
Video from the scene showed dozens of bodies covered in blood, reinforcing the health ministry’s claim that this was the deadliest single aid-related attack in recent weeks.
Israel Acknowledges Gunfire, Denies Airstrike
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) confirmed they had fired near an aid truck crowd but said they were unaware of any airstrikes in the area. The IDF stated the incident is under review and added:
“We regret any harm to uninvolved individuals and operate to minimize harm as much as possible while maintaining troop safety.”
The IDF did not respond to CNN’s inquiry regarding a separate fatal shooting incident near an aid point in Rafah, which left eight more Palestinians dead on the same day.
GHF Denies Incident at Their Site
The Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF)—a US-Israeli-backed private aid group—rejected claims that the deaths occurred at one of its sites.
“To date, not a single incident has occurred at or in the vicinity of GHF sites,” said a GHF spokesperson. However, GHF admitted that casualties have occurred in areas surrounding their operations, which critics say are too close to active combat zones.
Hospitals Overwhelmed, UN Condemns “Weaponized Food”
Nasser Medical Complex in Khan Younis was flooded with casualties. A local ICU doctor called the scene “catastrophic beyond imagination” and reported that the morgue had filled up, forcing staff to leave bodies outside the facility.
In response, Volker Türk, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, posted:
“Israel has weaponized food and blocked lifesaving aid. I urge immediate, impartial investigations into deadly attacks on desperate civilians.”
Humanitarian Crisis Nearing Famine
According to the United Nations, Gaza is on the verge of famine, with 2.1 million people in dire need of food. Since Israel’s 11-week blockade ended, hundreds have died trying to reach limited aid deliveries, with nearly 400 Palestinians killed near distribution sites.
One mother, whose 20-year-old son was killed while trying to bring food home, said:
“He didn’t go for a picnic. He went to bring food for his siblings and father.”
Source: CNN
