Dozens Killed in Israeli Gunfire Near Aid Sites in Southern Gaza, Hamas-Run Ministry Reports

Gaza City, Gaza Strip, July 19, 2025 — At least 32 Palestinians were killed and over 100 others injured by Israeli gunfire near two aid distribution sites in southern Gaza, according to the Hamas-run health ministry. The incidents occurred near Khan Younis and Rafah, close to facilities operated by the controversial Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), a U.S.- and Israeli-backed organization tasked with distributing aid in the region.

The Hamas-run health ministry reported that the casualties were primarily civilians seeking food at the distribution points, with many of the injured sustaining gunshot wounds to the head, chest, and abdomen. An eyewitness quoted by Reuters described the gunfire as “targeted to kill,” alleging that Israeli forces fired on crowds gathered near the aid sites. Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis received numerous casualties, with medical staff reporting chaotic scenes as they treated the wounded.

The GHF, which uses private security contractors to manage aid distribution in Israeli-controlled military zones, denied that any incidents occurred at or near its sites. The organization stated that Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) activity took place hours before the distribution points opened, and it accused Hamas of spreading “false and misleading” information. The IDF has not issued an official comment on the specific incident but has previously denied firing directly at civilians near aid sites, often stating that warning shots are used to deter individuals approaching military positions.

The United Nations has criticized the GHF’s operations, refusing to cooperate with the initiative, which it deems “unethical” and insufficient to meet Gaza’s humanitarian needs. On July 15, the UN human rights office reported 674 killings near the GHF’s four distribution sites in southern and central Gaza over the past six weeks, alongside 201 deaths along routes used by UN and other aid convoys. The UN has repeatedly stated there is no evidence of systematic aid diversion by Hamas, contrary to Israeli and U.S. claims that the new system is necessary to prevent such theft.

The latest violence comes amid a deepening humanitarian crisis in Gaza, where 20 months of conflict have left the population of over 2 million heavily reliant on international aid. The war, sparked by a Hamas-led attack on southern Israel on October 7, 2023, which killed approximately 1,200 people and saw 251 others taken hostage, has resulted in over 57,800 Palestinian deaths, according to Gaza’s health ministry. The ministry’s figures, which do not distinguish between civilians and combatants, are considered reliable by the UN and other international organizations.

Efforts to secure a ceasefire remain stalled. On Friday, U.S. President Donald Trump suggested a deal was imminent, but a Palestinian official told the BBC that negotiations are deadlocked over Israel’s proposed troop withdrawal plan, which Hamas has rejected.

The recurring violence near aid distribution sites has intensified scrutiny of Israel’s aid policies and the GHF’s role in Gaza. Humanitarian groups warn that the current system, combined with ongoing military operations, risks exacerbating famine conditions, with 69 children reported dead from malnutrition in recent months. The international community continues to call for unhindered access to deliver aid safely and at scale to avert further catastrophe in the war-torn enclave.