- At least 45 Palestinians were killed and dozens injured while waiting for aid trucks in Khan Younis, Gaza.
- Witnesses say Israeli tank shells and gunfire hit civilians gathered for food; Israel has not yet responded.
- Nasser Hospital is overwhelmed with casualties; the death toll is expected to rise due to critical injuries.
At least 45 Palestinians were killed Tuesday in Khan Younis as they waited near the eastern road for aid trucks carrying food and supplies. Eyewitnesses reported that Israeli tanks fired directly at the crowd, resulting in widespread casualties.
While not linked to the newer U.S.- and Israeli-backed aid corridor, this attack adds to mounting fears among Gazans that food distribution points have become high-risk zones.
Gaza Health Officials: Israeli Tank Fire Kills 45 Waiting for Aid in Khan Younis
Palestinian health officials reported that 45 people were killed in Khan Younis while waiting for humanitarian aid trucks. The crowd had gathered in anticipation of U.N. and commercial convoys delivering much-needed food. Instead, they came under attack from Israeli shelling, according to witnesses and medics.
Eyewitness Yousef Nofal described the attack as a “massacre,” stating that soldiers fired repeatedly even as people ran away. Mohammed Abu Qeshfa recounted hearing a massive explosion followed by intense gunfire and tank shelling, calling his survival a miracle. Video footage and photos circulating on social media show bodies and chaos at the site.
The Israeli military has not officially acknowledged or explained the strike. In earlier incidents, it has admitted firing warning shots near civilians approaching aid convoys, citing security concerns. This pattern has led to mounting criticism of how aid is being distributed in the war zone.
Nasser Hospital, one of the few functioning medical facilities in southern Gaza, was quickly overwhelmed by the influx of casualties. Doctors have warned that without urgent medical supplies and fuel, they cannot handle additional mass casualty events. The latest violence threatens to further derail humanitarian efforts.
The deadly shelling in Khan Younis paints a grim picture of humanitarian collapse, where even the pursuit of food becomes a life-threatening act for Gaza’s civilians.
Quote: “It was a massacre,” — Yousef Nofal.
