Gaza Deaths: Israel Fire Kills 60+
In a shocking escalation, Israeli fire near aid sites in Gaza has claimed the lives of at least 60 Palestinians.The
Dozens Killed Near Gaza Aid Site Amid Israeli Fire
Updated June 12, 2025
At least 60 Palestinians died from Israeli gunfire and airstrikes in Gaza, according to local health officials. Most of the casualties occurred near an aid site run by the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), which receives backing from both the U.S. and Israel.
Medical personnel at Shifa and Al-Quds hospitals reported that at least 25 people were killed and dozens injured as they approached a food distribution center close to the former Netzarim settlement early Wednesday. The Israeli military stated that its forces fired warning shots at individuals posing a threat to troops in the Netzarim Corridor area. The military added that the area is an active combat zone and that reports of injuries are under review.
Later, health officials at Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis reported that Israeli gunfire killed at least 14 people near another GHF site in Rafah. The Gaza Humanitarian Foundation also accused Hamas of attacking a bus carrying its staff to an aid distribution center, resulting in at least five deaths and multiple injuries. The GHF stated that the attack occurred around 10 p.m. local time and involved a bus carrying over two dozen team members en route to the distribution center west of Khan Younis. the organization condemned the attack, emphasizing that the victims were aid workers risking their lives to help others.
The GHF, a privately funded initiative supported by Israel, began operations on May 26 after a prolonged cutoff of supplies into Gaza raised famine concerns. The aid distribution effort aims to address the critical need for food in the region.
The GHF reports distributing 2.5 million meals in a single day, bringing the total to over 16 million as late May. However, Gaza’s Hamas-run health ministry claims that 163 Palestinians have died and over 1,000 have been wounded while trying to obtain food boxes.
The United Nations has criticized the killings and refuses to supply aid through the GHF, citing concerns over the use of private contractors with Israeli military backup, which they view as a breach of humanitarian standards. Elsewhere in Gaza, the health ministry reported at least 11 additional deaths from separate Israeli gunfire and strikes.
The conflict began 20 months ago when Hamas militants killed 1,200 people and took 251 hostages on Oct. 7, 2023. As then, Israeli military actions have resulted in nearly 55,000 Palestinian deaths, according to gaza health authorities, and widespread destruction in the densely populated strip.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated that there has been “notable progress” in efforts to release the remaining hostages in gaza, but cautioned that it is “to soon” to raise hopes for a deal. Hamas sources indicated they were unaware of any breakthrough in negotiations.
What’s next
The situation remains volatile, with ongoing efforts to negotiate a ceasefire and address the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. Further investigations into the incidents involving civilian casualties near aid sites are expected.