An Israeli attack on civilians gathered at a US-backed aid distribution site in Rafah has resulted in at least 30 Palestinians killed and over 175 wounded, according to reports from Al Jazeera Arabic and the Red Cross Hospital in Gaza.
The incident took place near a humanitarian relief point operated by the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation. Witnesses reported that people had assembled in anticipation of receiving desperately needed aid when Israeli forces launched the deadly strike.
The Government Media Office in Gaza confirmed the attack, initially stating that at least 22 fatalities were reported, with the number subsequently rising to 30 as more casualties were confirmed. Over 120 additional individuals sustained injuries, many of whom are in critical condition.
Officials in Gaza unequivocally condemned the attack, accusing both Israel and the United States of transforming humanitarian aid sites into “mass death traps.”
“The continued targeting of civilians at aid distribution points reflects the true nature of these locations – not as centers for relief, but as exposed killing zones,” the statement read. “This is a systematic and malicious use of humanitarian assistance as a weapon of war, designed to lure starving civilians into vulnerable areas monitored and controlled by the occupation army.”
Gaza’s media office further asserted that in less than a week, Israeli attacks on aid distribution points have claimed at least 39 lives and wounded more than 220 people.
The statement held both Israel and the United States “morally and legally responsible” for the deaths, citing the logistical, financial, and political support provided for these aid operations.
The humanitarian situation in Rafah remains dire, with international aid organizations facing significant challenges in delivering supplies amidst ongoing Israeli military operations. The crisis continues to deepen, prompting renewed calls for an immediate ceasefire and an independent investigation into the attacks on aid sites.
