Israeli Fire Kills 13 in Gaza, Including Six Near US-Backed Aid Centre
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Gaza’s civil defence agency reported that at least 13 Palestinians were killed on Saturday in Israeli strikes, with six casualties occurring near a US-backed aid distribution centre in the southern part of the territory.
According to Civil Defence spokesperson Mahmud Bassal, Israeli forces opened fire near the Al-Alam roundabout in Rafah around 7 a.m. local time, targeting an area close to ongoing humanitarian operations. “Six people were killed and several others wounded by the forces of the Israeli occupation,” Bassal told AFP.
Mounting Civilian Casualties Amid Aid Crisis
The latest deaths further compound the dire humanitarian crisis in Gaza, where over a million residents remain displaced and heavily reliant on aid. Saturday’s incident adds to growing concerns over the safety of civilians and aid workers, especially near distribution points that are meant to be protected under international law.
Witnesses at the scene described chaotic moments as people rushed to help the injured, many of whom had gathered early in the morning to receive food and medical supplies. Photos from the aftermath showed bloodied clothing and abandoned bags of flour scattered across the ground.
Israel has not immediately commented on the specific Rafah shooting. However, its military has continued operations across southern Gaza, asserting its campaign targets Hamas militants. Palestinian officials, on the other hand, say civilians are bearing the brunt of Israel’s months-long offensive.
Since the conflict reignited, thousands of Palestinians have been killed, and vital infrastructure—including hospitals, schools, and shelters—has been severely damaged or destroyed. Aid agencies have warned that delivering food, water, and medicine is becoming increasingly dangerous and unpredictable due to ongoing airstrikes and ground operations.
As international pressure grows on both sides to reach a ceasefire, incidents like Saturday’s shooting are likely to further fuel calls for an immediate halt to hostilities and the safe passage of humanitarian aid into the besieged territory.
