On June 10, 2025, Israeli gunfire killed 17 people near an aid distribution site in central Gaza, according to local health officials. The incident unfolded as crowds gathered aid trucks, desperate for food amid the worsening humanitarian crisis in the region.
The deadly gunfire occurred in Deir al-Balah, central Gaza, where thousands had gathered to receive limited food aid. Health authorities in Gaza report that at least 17 people were killed, and dozens more were injured during the Israeli military activity.
According to witnesses and medical workers, people were shot while attempting to reach the trucks. Israeli gunfire kills 17 near Gaza aid site incidents like this have become alarmingly frequent as aid struggles to reach the densely populated war zone.
The Israeli military acknowledged that troops were operating in the area but said the incident is under review. They claimed that crowds posed a threat, and shots may have been fired in response to perceived danger.
Meanwhile, the Palestinian Red Crescent Society reported a large number of casualties and difficulties accessing the wounded due to continued shelling and roadblocks. Aid workers describe the scene as “chaotic and tragic.”
The incident has intensified international calls for better protection of civilians and more coordinated humanitarian access. Since the war began, over 36,000 Palestinians have died, with the majority being women and children, according to the health ministry in Gaza.
Aid organizations are warning that the region is nearing full-scale famine, as Israeli gunfire kills 17 near Gaza aid site, events continue to make food distribution nearly impossible.
The United Nation Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) condemned the attack, stating that civilians must never be targeted when seeking aid. Human Rights Watch called for an independent investigation into the use of force.
UN Secretary-General Anotnio Guterres urged all parties to respect international humanitarian law, especially regarding civilians gathering for essential supplies.
This is not the first incident of violence near humanitarian convoys. In March 2025, another aid convoy was fired upon in northern Gaza, killing over 100 people.
With report like “Israeli gunfire kills 17 near Gaza aid site” becoming more frequent, pressure is mounting on Israel and its allies to establish protected aid corridors and ceasefire agreements.
