At least 15 dead as Israeli shelling strikes Rafah aid distribution point

Fifteen Palestinians were killed and over a hundred injured in Israeli shelling near an aid centre in Rafah, highlighting the devastating humanitarian crisis in the region.

At least 15 Palestinians tragically lost their lives due to Israeli tank shelling and gunfire near a humanitarian aid distribution centre in Rafah, southern Gaza, according to reports from local medics and residents. Mohammed Ghareeb, a local journalist, recounted to the BBC that a large crowd of Palestinians had gathered around a US-supported aid distribution centre when Israeli tanks fired upon them. Local activists shared distressing video footage showing bodies and injured civilians being transported on donkey carts to a Red Cross field hospital, unable to reach the victims due to restrictions.

The incident occurred around 04:30 local time, near the Al-Alam roundabout, close to the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation’s aid centre. Eyewitnesses described the grim scene where victims remained on the ground for an extended period prior to being moved by local residents using makeshift transportation. A doctor at the field hospital reported receiving 15 bodies and 50 injured individuals, with efforts underway to transfer the severely wounded to Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis.

Civil defense officials stated the number of wounded could surpass 100, indicating a grave situation further aggravated by the recent military actions that have hindered access to essential aid services. Meanwhile, civilians in Gaza have been rushing toward aid trucks, an alarming display of desperation driven by hunger, as noted by the World Food Programme.

The Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, a newly established organization backed by the US and Israel, claimed to have distributed two million meals this past week, although these claims have yet to be independently verified. This chaotic scenario follows ongoing discussions for a ceasefire facilitated by the US between Israel and Hamas. In a notable proposition, Hamas indicated a willingness to release Israeli hostages in exchange for the freedom of Palestinian prisoners while continuing to demand a permanent ceasefire, full Israeli withdrawal from Gaza, and reliable humanitarian aid flow—all demands absent from current proposals.

The US, represented by special envoy Steve Witkoff, criticized Hamas's response as backward and insisted the proposed plan was the best route to achieving a ceasefire in the coming days.