At least 36 Palestinians were killed by Israeli fire on Saturday while heading toward an aid distribution site in Gaza, according to the Gaza Health Ministry and Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis. The Israeli military claimed it had fired warning shots at individuals who came close to their troops and ignored calls to stop. However, witnesses at the scene denied hearing any warnings before the shooting began.
Gaza resident Mohammed al-Khalidi, who was among those approaching the site, said they thought the troops were there to organize aid distribution. Instead, he described chaos as Israeli jeeps and tanks suddenly opened fire from two directions. The incident happened about a kilometre away from the aid site, which was not yet active, the Israeli military said while noting that it was reviewing the situation.
The Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), which operates the aid site, confirmed there were no deaths or activity at their facility at the time. GHF, backed by the US, emphasized that the casualties occurred far from its center and warned locals not to approach aid locations in the dark. Despite this, the tragedy adds to growing criticism over how aid delivery is managed in the war-torn region.
Tensions continue to rise, as the UN rights office recently reported at least 875 deaths near aid convoys and distribution points over the past six weeks. Most of these incidents occurred close to GHF locations and were caused by gunfire. Although Israel has promised “lessons learned,” it maintains that many aid convoys are being targeted by Hamas, a claim the group denies.
Elsewhere in Gaza, Israeli airstrikes killed at least 50 more people on the same day, including the Hamas-run police chief in Nuseirat and 11 of his relatives. The Israeli military claimed it struck weapon storage sites and sniper positions, but health officials say the majority of the dead are civilians. The total death toll in Gaza since the war began has now reached around 58,000.
Meanwhile, indirect talks continue in Doha to secure a US-proposed 60-day ceasefire and hostage deal, mediated by Qatar and Egypt. However, there is little progress. Families of remaining hostages, including Einav Zangauker whose son Matan is still in Hamas custody, are urging Israeli leaders to act quickly. “He has no more time,” she said in an emotional plea outside Israel’s defense headquarters.