Dozens Killed in Gaza‍ Aid distribution; Hostage Bodies Recovered

⁢Updated June 11, 2025

Israeli forces killed at least 60 ⁢Palestinians ⁤in Gaza on Wednesday, according to local health officials. Many were seeking food from a ‍U.S.-israeli aid distribution program. The deaths occurred near⁤ distribution sites run by the ‍Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF).

Medical‍ officials reported that 25 people⁤ died and‍ dozens sustained injuries near a GHF distribution center close to Netzarim in central Gaza. Later,‍ at least 14 more were killed by Israeli‍ gunfire near another GHF site⁤ in Rafah, on Gaza’s southern border. Seventeen Palestinians were killed near GHF sites on Tuesday.

The casualties occurred⁤ as the bodies of ⁢two Israeli ⁣hostages were recovered from Gaza. Prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu ⁢identified one ⁤as Yair Yaakov, 59, abducted and ‍killed by Hamas during the Oct. 7,2023,attack. ‍netanyahu saeid⁣ the second hostage could not yet be named. It ‍is indeed believed that 53 Israeli hostages remain in Gaza, most presumed⁤ dead.

Gaza health authorities reported that the Palestinian death toll has exceeded 55,000 over the 20 months of conflict. The health ministry is part of the Hamas government, but its casualty figures are generally considered reliable by international organizations.

The Center for constitutional Rights, a New York-based law group, recently warned the GHF about potential legal repercussions for complicity ⁣in war crimes against Palestinians. katherine Gallagher,a senior staff attorney,stated that Israel and GHF are making‍ food access perilous and a ⁤tool for forced displacement. The International Court⁢ of ⁢Justice is scrutinizing the ⁤Israeli government and armed forces over ⁣allegations of genocide, partly due to ⁣the use of food⁣ as a weapon.

Humanitarian experts previously cautioned that distributing⁢ food from militarized sites would endanger ⁣those seeking aid. Jake Wood, the GHF’s first⁤ executive director, resigned last‍ month, citing conflicts with humanitarian principles. Boston Consulting⁣ Group also severed ties⁤ with the GHF.Johnnie Moore, an evangelical leader and religious adviser to Donald Trump, was ⁤appointed the new‍ chair of the GHF.

The Israel Defense forces ⁣(IDF) stated that its forces fired “warning shots” overnight toward a group ⁢it said posed a threat to ⁣troops. The IDF is reviewing reports of injuries. The GHF told Reuters it was‍ unaware of ⁢the ⁤incidents but is working ⁣with Israeli authorities ⁣to maintain safe passage routes. The⁢ GHF emphasized the need for more aid to reduce urgency among the⁤ population.

Moore⁣ stated on social media that the GHF provided 2.5 million meals on Wednesday, bringing the total to 16 million⁣ since operations began on May 27.

Adalah, an Israeli civil rights group, reported that Tiago⁣ Ávila, a Brazilian activist detained on a ship in the eastern Mediterranean, is⁢ being ⁤held in solitary⁣ confinement due to a hunger strike. Rima Hassan, a French-palestinian member of the European parliament also detained, was temporarily held in solitary confinement after writing “Free Palestine” on ‍a cell wall.She has since been moved out of isolation. The Israeli foreign ministry has not responded to the reports.

What’s ⁤next

The situation ‍remains volatile, with ongoing investigations into the ⁢incidents and continued efforts to provide⁤ humanitarian aid amidst⁢ the conflict. Further scrutiny of the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation and its operations is ⁢expected.