Israeli fire kills 51 Palestinians awaiting aid in southern Gaza

At least 51 Palestinians were killed and hundreds more wounded on Tuesday when Israeli tank shells struck a crowd waiting for aid trucks in Khan Younis, in the southern Gaza Strip, according to Gaza’s health ministry.

Medics and eyewitnesses said Israeli tanks opened fire on throngs of civilians gathered along a main eastern road in Khan Younis, where aid was expected to be delivered. Over 200 people were reported injured, at least 20 of them critically. Nasser Hospital was overwhelmed by casualties, with patients being treated on the floor and in hallways due to overcrowding.

The Israeli military has not yet issued a statement regarding the incident.

Eyewitnesses said two tank shells were fired into a large crowd of desperate people awaiting humanitarian aid. The deadly strike is the latest in a string of deadly incidents involving Palestinians seeking food and supplies amid the ongoing war.

On Monday, local health officials reported that Israeli gunfire killed at least 23 people near an aid distribution site in Rafah, run by the U.S.-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF). While the GHF stated that it had safely delivered more than three million meals at its four sites, recent attacks near these centers have cast doubt on the safety of such operations.

Israel has delegated much of the aid distribution within Gaza to the GHF, whose distribution zones are typically near or within areas controlled by Israeli forces. The United Nations has strongly criticized the arrangement, calling it insufficient, unsafe, and a violation of humanitarian neutrality.

Broader Regional Tensions and Gaza’s Hope for Relief

The situation in Gaza continues to escalate as regional tensions rise following an exchange of attacks between Israel and Iran. The flare-up began last Friday when Israel launched major strikes inside Iranian territory.

Images of damage from Iranian missile strikes on Israeli cities have been widely shared in Gaza. Some Palestinians expressed a sense of vindication.

“We experience this destruction daily,” said Saad Saad, a resident of Gaza. “It brought us joy to see Tel Aviv buried under rubble just as we are. For once, they know what it feels like.”

Another resident, Taysseir Mohaissan, remarked on the scale of Iran’s retaliation: “Iran has endured Israel’s provocations for years, but the time has come for it to respond decisively and show the occupation state that it cannot act with impunity.”

The potential for a broader regional war involving other powers has increased, especially with Israel indicating its military campaign could last several more weeks.

Efforts by the United States, Egypt, and Qatar to negotiate a ceasefire have so far failed, with both Israel and Hamas remaining firm on key demands and accusing each other of stalling the process.

Hamas leaders have openly praised Iran for its ongoing financial and military backing, including during the current war.