25 Killed, Over 100 Injured As Israeli Army Opens Fire on People Waiting for Aid in Gaza

The Israeli military, responding to the incident, said it is reviewing reports of casualties. It stated that a group of people advanced toward soldiers in an area adjacent to the east-west Netzarim corridor, after which gunfire was opened. The Israeli army’s statement did not provide any information on deaths caused by the shooting.

Al-Awda Hospital in the Nuseirat refugee camp reported that Palestinians were waiting for trucks on Salah al-Din Road, south of Wadi Gaza. The injured from the attack were brought to this hospital. Al-Awda Hospital authorities said that 146 Palestinians were injured, with 62 in critical condition, who were transferred to another hospital in central Gaza. A hospital in the central city of Deir al-Balah reported receiving the bodies of six people killed in the incident.

Palestinian eyewitnesses and health officials say that in recent weeks, Israeli forces have repeatedly fired on people waiting for food packets, resulting in hundreds of deaths. The army claims it fired warning shots at those who approached its forces suspiciously.

This is the latest incident of gunfire in the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza. According to the Gaza Strip’s Health Ministry, over 56,000 Palestinians have been killed in this war. Israel launched its campaign in Gaza following Hamas’s attack on southern Israel on October 7, 2023, in which around 1,200 people were killed and 251 others were taken hostage. Most hostages have been released through ceasefire agreements.