51 Gaza’s killed waiting for aid, Health Ministry says; IDF reviewing incident
Deaths & injuries: Gaza Health Ministry says at least 51 people have been killed and more than 200
wounded by Israeli gunfire while they waited for aid trucks near Khan Younis.
About 20 of the injuries were critical.
IDF admits there were casualties from its fire after crowd approached a truck that had become stuck near soldiers
*IDF investigating: Israeli army admits to casualties in Gaza caused by fire of its troops after group approached a stalled truck.
Shellings reported: The crowd was hit by shelling, Health Ministry authorities and survivors said, with
some victims needing amputations after suffering severe trauma.
Survivor’s account: Mohamed Abu Ghali, 32, said he had taken his family to collect flour, thinking that trucks bringing
aid to the roadside were safer to approach, when three Israeli artillery shells struck the crowd with massive casualties.
Ambiguity over trucks’ origins: It is not clear who runs the truck that was stuck; the U.S. and
Israeli-backed the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF) denies working with the stuck truck.
Other incidents at aid sites: Ministry of Health Gaza: 397 people have been killed in seeking assistance The WHO
said it had received reports but that communication problems had posed a challenge.
Humanitarian crisis continues to worsen:While the flood waters recede, aid going into Gaza is still not enough to
meet the needs of the 2million displaced people. Fuel shortages are menacing vital services or — as Israeli officials
maintain — the problem is not supply but access.
COGAT reported that 64 aid trucks recently entered Gaza, emphasizing that measures were taken to ensure the aid did not fall into the hands of Hamas.
Broader Context
Reuters independently confirms a similar episode, in which at least 59 are killed and 221 are wounded in the same area; tank
shelling is also reported on civilians who were lining up for food aid.
(AP’s coverage is similarly aligned — 51 killed, 200 wounded, forced to rely on airstrikes and gunfire across the way, by
aid convoys denied entry.
What This Means
This terrible incident fits a disturbing pattern. Thousands of civilians, already enduring famine and displacement, have
been shot or shelled as they sought help. International humanitarian organizations say the current aid system
is inadequate and perilous.
If you want more context — say, international organizations’ reactions, a continuing I.D.F. investigation or profiles of the
aid groups involved — just let me know.