Gaza: Dozens Dead from Israeli Fire Near Aid Distribution Center

Israeli forces killed over 50 people gathered near a food distribution center in Khan Younis, located in the southern part of the Palestinian enclave, according to reports on Tuesday (17.06.25) by the Civil Defense in Gaza. Mahmoud Basal, a representative of the emergency services, stated that at least 53 people were killed and more than 200 injured by Israeli fire against thousands attempting to reach an aid distribution center in Gaza. Israeli drones opened fire on the crowd, followed shortly by tanks firing multiple shells, according to French news agency reports. Due to restrictions on media access in the Gaza Strip and difficulties reaching the scene, AFP cannot independently verify the accounts provided by Civil Defense. The Israeli military stated it was ‘investigating’ the incident, noting a ‘gathering’ near an aid delivery truck that had been ‘hit’ in the Khan Younis area, close to Israeli soldiers operating in the zone. According to the Health Ministry of the Hamas government, condemning the ‘horrific massacre,’ at least ’51 martyrs and over 200 wounded’ were transported to Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis. Other sources reported additional casualties from Israeli fire and airstrikes in the densely populated area, bringing the total death toll to at least 73, according to Reuters. Eyewitness Mohammed Abu Amer described the victims as unarmed civilians simply trying to obtain bread and flour for their children. Since mid-May, Israel has intensified operations in Gaza, ostensibly to free remaining hostages, regain control of the region, and dismantle Hamas, the Palestinian Islamist movement controlling Gaza since 2007. An absolute blockade imposed on March 2nd was partially lifted in late May, resulting in severe shortages of food, medicine, and essential supplies. Despite these challenges, the US- and Israel-supported Gaza Humanitarian Forum (GHF) began distributing food on May 27th, delivering 2 million meals without incident and a total of 28 million since operations began. Meanwhile, workers attempted to repair Al Ahli Hospital in northern Gaza, one of the few still partially operational. Palestinian Authority officials announced that internet and landline phone services were cut in central and southern Gaza due to infrastructure damage caused by Israeli attacks, marking the third such disruption in a week. The conflict escalated following the unprecedented October 7, 2023, incursion by Hamas militants into southern Israel, resulting in 1,219 deaths on the Israeli side, mostly civilians. Of the 251 people abducted that day, 54 remain in Gaza, with 32 confirmed dead by Israeli authorities. At least 55,493 Palestinians, predominantly civilians, have lost their lives in large-scale retaliatory military operations since then, according to reliable figures from the Hamas Health Ministry recognized by the UN.