DEIR AL BALAH, Gaza Strip — In a tragic escalation of Gaza’s humanitarian crisis, Israeli troops opened fire on Palestinians crowding around food distribution centers operated by the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), killing at least 32 people, according to witnesses and hospital officials.
GHF, backed by the U.S. and Israel, began operations in May, aiming to replace the UN-led aid distribution system, which Israel claims is exploited by Hamas — a charge the UN denies. Though GHF says it has distributed millions of meals, Palestinians claim that hundreds have been shot trying to access these military-controlled hubs.
Israeli forces admitted to firing warning shots near Rafah, citing security concerns as crowds approached troops overnight when the aid sites were closed. However, GHF stated that no incidents occurred at their distribution points.
Witnesses, however, describe a different scene near Khan Younis. Mahmoud Mokeimar and other survivors say Israeli forces fired indiscriminately on the crowds. Another witness, Akram Aker, claimed that tanks and drones targeted them between 5-6 a.m. Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis confirmed receiving 25 bodies and treating 70 wounded, most with gunshot injuries to the head and chest.
Elsewhere in Gaza, multiple Israeli airstrikes claimed more lives, including 12 killed in central Gaza’s Al-Awda Hospital area and four others in Gaza City. Israel reported hitting 90 targets in the past day but did not comment on individual strikes.
Gaza, home to over 2 million people, is on the brink of collapse. Aid distribution remains chaotic, with desperate crowds scrambling for limited supplies. The conflict, now stretching over 21 months since Hamas’ October 2023 attack on Israel, has claimed over 58,000 Palestinian lives, per Gaza’s Health Ministry — with more than half being women and children.
Ceasefire talks between Israel and Hamas in Qatar remain deadlocked. In Israel, families of hostages continue to protest, urging the government to secure the release of the remaining 50 captives.
Meanwhile, in the occupied West Bank, tensions surged as U.S. Ambassador Mike Huckabee condemned the July 9 arson attack by Israeli settlers on the Church of St. George in the Christian village of Taybeh — labeling it an “act of terror.” Settler violence has sharply risen during the Gaza war, with Palestinians accusing Israeli forces of turning a blind eye.
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