GAZA: Israeli forces have killed nearly 70 Palestinians and injured over 200 in a brutal attack on a crowd of civilians gathered for food aid in southern Gaza on Tuesday.
The attack, which occurred along the main eastern road in the southern city of Khan Younis, marks the deadliest day in a series of ongoing assaults since Israel launched operations to distribute food through the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF) three weeks ago.
According to Gaza Civil Defence spokesman Mahmud Bassal, Israeli drones first targeted the crowd, followed by several tank shells, causing a large number of deaths and injuries. “Tens of thousands of civilians, including children, were killed, and no one could help or save lives,” said Saeed Abu Liba, one of the survivors, who described the attack as a “massacre.” Witnesses reported hearing explosions and gunfire as Israeli soldiers continued shooting at fleeing civilians.
The death toll is expected to rise, with many of the injured in critical condition. Medical teams at Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis have struggled to handle the overwhelming number of casualties. Some victims were so severely wounded that they were “shredded to pieces,” according to sources from the hospital.
This attack is part of a broader pattern of violence since the GHF began food aid distribution on May 26, 2025, after Israel lifted part of its blockade on Gaza. The violence, including daily shootings, has targeted those seeking food and medical supplies, with over 300 killed and more than 2,000 wounded in these assaults.
Humanitarian organizations, including the United Nations, have refused to cooperate with GHF due to concerns about the organization’s alignment with Israeli military objectives. UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Turk condemned the killings, urging impartial investigations into these deadly attacks on civilians.
Despite these concerns, Israel has defended its actions, claiming that soldiers fired warning shots at suspected threats near aid centers. However, no evidence has been provided to support these claims. Meanwhile, the international community continues to demand accountability for these deadly assaults on Gaza’s civilians.
Israel’s war on Gaza
The death toll from Israel’s ongoing assault on Gaza has surpassed 55,000, with over 128,000 Palestinians injured since October 2023, according to the Gaza Health Ministry.
The Israeli military resumed its offensive in March, resulting in 5,139 deaths and nearly 17,000 injuries since then. This escalation shattered a ceasefire and prisoner exchange deal that had briefly held in January.
International legal bodies have taken action against Israel’s actions, with the International Criminal Court issuing arrest warrants for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant for alleged war crimes.
Furthermore, Israel faces charges of genocide at the International Court of Justice for its campaign in Gaza.
Despite mounting international condemnation, Israel’s military actions in Gaza continue unabated, with the humanitarian crisis deepening each day.
