Egypt Daily News – The Israeli military admitted on Saturday to opening fire near an aid distribution center in Rafah, southern Gaza, resulting in what has been widely described as another deadly massacre against Palestinians already suffering from dire humanitarian conditions.
In a statement, the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) claimed that “suspects approached Israeli forces operating in the Rafah area in a manner that posed a threat,” prompting troops to fire warning shots. The military confirmed that casualties were reported and stated that an investigation into the incident was underway. The shooting reportedly occurred approximately one kilometer from a food aid hub during the night.
According to local sources and medical officials, the gunfire targeted civilians who had gathered in desperation near an aid center reportedly affiliated with an American-Israeli company. The attack killed at least 36 people and injured over 70, most of whom were seeking food and supplies amid Gaza’s ongoing humanitarian crisis. Gaza’s Nasser Medical Complex confirmed the figures, describing the incident as a massacre against starving civilians.
The Gaza Health Ministry, in its daily update on Saturday, reported that 98 Palestinians were killed and 511 injured in the last 48 hours due to the latest wave of Israeli military actions. This brings the death toll from the ongoing war — which began with Israel’s campaign on October 7, 2023 to 58,765, with injuries surpassing 140,000.
Since the renewal of hostilities on March 18, 2025, the ministry recorded 7,938 additional deaths and over 28,000 injuries. The number of Palestinians killed while attempting to access aid, referred to locally as “martyrs of the breadline” has reached 891, with more than 5,754 injured.
Humanitarian agencies and local emergency services warn that the death toll could rise, as many bodies remain trapped under rubble or abandoned in streets that rescue teams cannot access due to ongoing hostilities and the destruction of key infrastructure.
This latest tragedy has drawn renewed international concern, especially as Israel continues its military operations in Rafah despite global calls for restraint and adherence to international humanitarian law. The targeting of aid seekers comes amid an already catastrophic situation in Gaza, where the blockade and constant bombardment have left millions on the brink of famine and medical collapse.
