Israeli Attack Near Gaza Aid Site Kills 51, Witnesses Describe ‘Massacre’
Eyewitnesses Say Crowd Was Targeted While Collecting Food
At least 51 Palestinians were killed and more than 200 others injured on Monday in what witnesses are calling a massacre, after Israeli forces attacked an aid distribution site in southern Gaza, according to medical officials and local eyewitnesses. The crowd had gathered in search of food, as famine and acute hunger continue to grip the besieged territory.
“Tens of thousands of hungry civilians gathered for the aid. Two Israeli shells were dropped in the middle of the crowd. Dozens of civilians, including children, were killed, and no one could help or save lives,” said Saeed Abu Liba, 38, who survived the incident. “May God punish the Israelis for their crimes.”
The attack took place near one of the food distribution sites operated under the controversial Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF) system, which is supported by Israel and the United States. Witnesses said the chaos began with explosions, followed by Israeli drones and tanks firing on the crowd.
Survivors Describe Horror and Chaos
Several survivors described the attack as a deliberate massacre. Yousef Nofal, who was near the front of the queue, said he saw people fall one after another as gunfire rang out. “It was a massacre,” he said. “Israeli soldiers kept firing even when people tried to run away.”
Mohammed Abu Qeshfa, another survivor, said he heard a loud explosion and then heavy gunfire from tanks positioned nearby. “I survived by a miracle,” he said, his voice trembling as he recalled the chaos.
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The scene was filled with panic and desperation. Many injured civilians lay on the ground without immediate medical attention due to the intensity of the shelling. “People were screaming and calling for help. The area turned into a battlefield,” said a local volunteer who helped transport the injured to a nearby clinic.
Civil Defence Confirms Drone and Tank Shelling
Gaza Civil Defence spokesperson Mahmud Bassal confirmed that the attack involved both drone strikes and tank shelling. “Israeli drones fired at the citizens. Some minutes later, Israeli tanks fired several shells at the citizens, which led to a large number of martyrs and wounded,” he stated.
Thousands had gathered at the site to receive flour and other basic necessities as hunger spreads rapidly across the Gaza Strip. According to international agencies, the region is facing unprecedented levels of acute malnutrition and starvation, particularly among children.
The distribution point was part of the new GHF system, introduced last month to replace the United Nations-led aid program. While Israel claims the new mechanism prevents Hamas from intercepting aid, it has come under fire for its lack of safety and transparency, especially as attacks near distribution points have become frequent and deadly.
There has been no immediate response from the Israeli military regarding massacre on Monday. Calls for independent investigations and international accountability have grown louder as the death toll from aid-related attacks continues to rise.
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