Twenty-six Palestinians have been killed and 150 injured in a tragic incident involving Israeli tank shelling and gunfire near an aid distribution centre in Rafah, located in southern Gaza. Reports from local medics and residents confirm the casualties, highlighting the escalating violence in the region.
Local journalist Mohammed Ghareeb reported to the BBC that thousands of Palestinians had gathered around a US-backed humanitarian aid distribution centre when Israeli tanks approached and opened fire on the crowd. Eyewitness accounts and footage shared by local journalists and activists depict the grim scene, with bodies and injured individuals being transported on donkey carts to the Red Cross field hospital located in the al-Mawasi area of Rafah. Rescue teams faced significant challenges in reaching the site due to ongoing hostilities.
According to Mr. Ghareeb, the gathering occurred near the Al-Alam roundabout around 04:30 local time (02:30 BST), close to the aid centre run by the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation. Just moments before the Israeli tanks opened fire, this large crowd had assembled, seeking assistance. The dead and wounded lay on the ground for an extended period, as rescue crews were unable to access the area, which remains under Israeli control. This dire situation forced local residents to utilize donkey carts to transport victims to the field hospital.
The Red Cross field hospital reported that 26 individuals were killed and 150 injured, with ongoing efforts to transfer the casualties to Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis for further medical care. Civil Defence spokesman Mahmud Bassal informed the AFP news agency that over 100 people sustained injuries from gunfire directed at the crowd by Israeli vehicles.
This tragic incident underscores the dire humanitarian conditions in Rafah, where recent Israeli military operations have severely limited access to essential aid and emergency services. On a related note, the World Food Programme reported chaotic scenes on Saturday, as desperate civilians rushed to aid trucks in Gaza, highlighting the growing hunger and desperation in the region.
The Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, a newly established organization backed by the US and Israel, has been actively distributing food at designated locations across Gaza. This initiative was set up following accusations against Hamas for allegedly stealing aid, which the group has categorically denied. The GHF claimed to have distributed two million meals this week, although the BBC has not yet been able to independently verify this figure.
As the humanitarian crisis deepens, the US is making efforts to broker a ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas. In response to a US ceasefire proposal, Hamas has expressed its willingness to release 10 living Israeli hostages and 18 deceased hostages in exchange for a number of Palestinian prisoners. However, they reiterated demands for a permanent truce, a complete Israeli withdrawal from Gaza, and guarantees for the uninterrupted flow of humanitarian aid. None of these conditions are currently included in the proposed deal.
Hamas has stated that it submitted its response to the US draft proposed by Steve Witkoff, the special envoy for the Middle East appointed by US President Donald Trump. Witkoff has described the proposal as unacceptable, claiming it only regresses the situation, while emphasizing that the US deal remains the only viable pathway to achieving a 60-day ceasefire in the near future.
