Six Palestinians killed near Gaza aid site in latest shooting incident

Key information:

• Fatalities: Six Palestinians were killed and others wounded near an aid center in southern Gaza, according to Hamas-run Civil Defence.
• GHF Accusation: The U.S.-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF) said it suspended operations Saturday due to security threats allegedly made by Hamas.
• Israeli Military: The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said it fired warning shots at individuals it described as "suspects" behaving in a threatening manner.
• Distribution Disruptions: GHF sites have experienced repeated shutdowns due to violence, overcrowding, and alleged intimidation.
• Humanitarian Impact: Aid agencies and the United Nations have criticized the current distribution model for putting civilians at risk and failing to meet basic needs.

The shooting unfolded Saturday morning as hundreds of people gathered to access emergency food supplies. According to Gaza's Civil Defence, the gunfire began as civilians approached one of GHF’s delivery points. The aid operation has repeatedly been disrupted amid Israel’s ongoing military campaign in Gaza.

The IDF acknowledged it had opened fire near the aid hub, but said its troops were responding to what it called a perceived threat. The military said warning shots were aimed at individuals who had advanced toward soldiers in a manner deemed threatening. Eyewitnesses cited by local agencies disputed that account, claiming the shooting began as people tried to move closer to the site.

The incident is the latest in a series of violent episodes around GHF’s distribution centers, which operate in or near Israeli-controlled military zones. These centers have come under increasing scrutiny from humanitarian organizations and UN officials, who say the system places civilians in harm’s way.

GHF was created to replace the UN’s long-standing aid delivery infrastructure in Gaza and operates under the joint backing of U.S. and Israeli authorities. But the new framework has drawn sharp criticism. The foundation said it halted Saturday’s deliveries, citing "safety concerns" and a need to reassess its logistics. It also accused Hamas of issuing direct threats to its staff—a claim the group denies.

Aid groups have warned for weeks that the new system is inadequate. UNICEF stated that the food parcels being distributed were far too small to meet even the most basic nutritional standards. "These boxes are woefully insufficient for ensuring children’s well-being," the organization said in an earlier statement.

Saturday’s shooting occurred amid escalating violence across the territory. According to local officials, at least 15 people were killed in Israeli airstrikes on a residential neighborhood in Gaza City the same day. The IDF said the operation targeted the leader of the Mujahideen Brigades, a militant group it holds responsible for the October 7 attacks and for the kidnapping of several foreign nationals, including a Thai citizen whose body was reportedly recovered during a separate raid in Rafah.

Since aid deliveries resumed under GHF following a months-long blockade, medical personnel in Gaza have reported being overwhelmed. At least 100 Palestinians have been killed near GHF aid centers since late May, according to the Gaza Health Ministry. Hospitals say they are operating at capacity, treating gunshot wounds from scenes marked by panic, stampedes, and nighttime movement through militarized zones. Children and the elderly are reportedly among the victims.

The IDF has said it is reviewing multiple incidents related to the GHF aid hubs, while maintaining that Hamas is endangering civilians by using them as cover. Critics argue that the entire delivery model is flawed, forcing desperate people into high-risk areas where violence is nearly inevitable. The UN has repeatedly called for the reinstatement of its former aid coordination system, warning that Gaza’s population of more than 2 million is on the verge of famine.

Sources: Al Jazeera, BBC, Associated Press (AP)