Israeli gunfire and airstrikes killed at least 60 Palestinians in Gaza on Wednesday, most of them near an aid site operated by the U.S- and Israeli-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation in the centre of the enclave, local health officials said.
Medical officials at Shifa and Al-Quds hospitals said at least 25 people were killed and dozens wounded as they approached a food distribution centre near the former Jewish settlement of Netzarim before dawn.
Israel's military, which has been at war with Hamas militants since October 2023, said its forces fired warning shots overnight towards a group of suspects as they posed a threat to troops in the area of the Netzarim Corridor.
"This is despite warnings that the area is an active combat zone. The IDF is aware of reports regarding individuals injured; the details are under review," it said.
Later on Wednesday, health officials at Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis in the southern Gaza Strip said at least 14 people had been killed by Israeli gunfire as they approached another GHF site in Rafah.
The foundation said it was unaware of Wednesday's incidents but added that it was working closely with Israeli authorities to ensure safe passage routes are maintained, and that it was essential for Palestinians to closely follow instructions.
"Ultimately, the solution is more aid, which will create more certainty and less urgency among the population," it said by email in response to Reuters questions.
"There is not yet enough food to feed everyone in need in Gaza. Our current focus is to feed as many people as is safely possible within the constraints of a highly volatile environment."
In a statement, GHF said it distributed 2.5 million meals on Wednesday, the largest single-day delivery since it began operations, bringing to more than 16 million the number of meals provided since its operations started in late May.
Gaza's Hamas-run health ministry says that since then, 163 Palestinians had been killed and over 1,000 wounded trying to obtain the food boxes.
The United Nations has condemned the killings and has refused to supply aid via the foundation, which uses private contractors with Israeli military backup in what they say is a breach of humanitarian standards.
Elsewhere in Gaza on Wednesday, its health ministry said at least 11 other people were killed by separate Israeli gunfire and strikes across the coastal enclave.
The war erupted 20 months ago after Hamas-led militants took 251 hostages and killed 1,200 people, most of them civilians, on October 7, 2023, Israel's single deadliest day.
Israel's military campaign has since killed nearly 55,000 Palestinians, most of them civilians, according to health authorities in Gaza, and flattened much of the densely populated strip, which is home to more than two million people. Most of the population is displaced and malnutrition is widespread.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Tuesday there had been "significant progress" in efforts to secure the release of the remaining hostages in Gaza, but that it was "too soon" to raise hopes that a deal would be reached.
Two Hamas sources told Reuters they did not know about any breakthrough in negotiations.
© Thomson Reuters 2025.
17 Comments
sakurasuki
So this new genocide technique from occupier, just wait until those hungry people gather to get some food, then "eliminate" them?
Jay
Another day, another two-faced Israel killing 60 near a so-called “humanitarian” site we fund. How many billions has US the sent to Israel? Uh... over $150 billion - and for what? Endless conflict and ZERO benefit to Americans.
HOW exactly is this an alliance? It's exploitation. Israel acts without restraint while U.S. taxpayers foot the bill and take the blame. LA and other cities crumble, the border’s wide open, veterans suffer - yet Congress keeps writing checks to a foreign state that does nothing for us, all because of the MISTAKEN belief that we Christians in America have some moral duty to protect Israel at all costs. We don't - Biblical Israel is not the secular state of Israel today, yet some U.S. leaders treat it like it’s holy ground, immune from criticism, no matter how many civilians get killed or how much American money it burns.
I know you read the Japan Today forums, Marco Rubio, so listen up. It’s time to wake up: this one-sided “friendship” is a national liability.
No more aid. No more excuses.
stormcrow
When most of the victims being killed are civilians instead of enemies, it’s time to re-examine your methods in battling Hamas. Remember, that’s what distinguishes you from Hamas, otherwise, you’re no better than they are.
starpunk
Does anybody remember how Hamas started this war by surprise in October 2023? And what has happened with those Israeli hostages? Still in captivity. Netanyahu doesn't care about that, he's making excuses to wage a war where everybody but Hamas is being targeted. Gazans 0 men, women, children who did nothing wrong. Blocking aid sent for them. Air strikes over Beirut, Lebanon - as if they asked for it.
Israel has every right to exist and defend itself, but it has the wrong man at the helm. There are no winners in this war. It's sad.
kurisupisu
Israeli actions are clear and have been clear for a long time…
GuruMick
In Israel, killing civilians as they approach Aid stations is called "trapping "
Aly Rustom
Jay- excellent post. Took the words right out of my mouth.
They're worse.
Capuchin
Imagine what it must be like to be a Palestinian in Gaza right now.
You've been displaced endlessly for the last 20 months. 80% of the buildings in Gaza have damaged or destroyed so in all likelihood your home and your belongings have been destroyed, looted or used as props in twisted Tiktok performances by what you are told is "the world's most moral army".
The country you lived in rendered completely unrecognizable by the sheer level of destruction. You wander this wasteland in search of shelter and safety. You move to a "safe zone" and you are bombed. Hospitals, bombed. Schools, bombed. Tent shelters, bombed.
You're forced on another death march across the wasteland in search of food and clean water for you and your children. Stray across the wrong stretch of rubble and you'll be shot in the head. The same goes for your children.
Atrocity stacked upon atrocity. Sadistic and psychopathic.
But all this is justified because. . . Oct 7th.
Blacklabel
And it seems Hamas just attacked an aid bus, killing an unknown number of aid workers and possibly taking hostages.
thats bad. Really bad.
GuruMick
Blacklabel...doubtful.
BUT Israel has armed another militant group to be involved with "aid delivery " and to fight Hamas.
Without detail, we cant see what happened.
u_s__reamer
History will remember this cruel, sadistic "cheese & mouse trap" strategy devised by criminal, genocidal minds.
Chabbawanga
These aid workers, are they of the US mercenary description, or Israel-backed armed militia description?
GuruMick
OK...heres some detail Blacklabel.
The "aid truck " is part of the "Gaza Humanitarian Organisation ", a group led by "politically connected western military ...... arranged by the Israeli Govt.,, described as a "SHAM " by UN leaders, and subject to a human rights group letter calling for its disbandment.
The group lacks any Palestinian involvement and has been described as a blue print for ethnic cleansing.
We see in this fake organisation the "Hydra like eyes " of a country using a myriad of means to achieve the end goal of re annexing Gaza and expelling Gazan people.
No shame in falling for the lies .....but "fool me once ......we are up to "Try to fool me a hundred times ".
Basically, more Israeli sowing of division ....we know why they banned UNRWA from aid delivery.
WoodyLee
""Israel's military, which has been at war with Hamas militants since October 2023, said its forces fired warning shots overnight towards a group of suspects as they posed a threat to troops in the area of the Netzarim Corridor.""
DISGUSTING ZIONISTS set up food distribution points only to stalk and ambush Palestinians then kill them.
Blacklabel
So killing aid workers is ok because why again?
Cephus
Still Hamas is adamant...?
Blacklabel
Kinda sick that the left is ok with people from aid organizations someone simply claims are a “sham” are justified to be…murdered.