Gaza Aid: Deaths Reported as Israeli Forces Fire on Crowds

Updated june 02,2025

Israeli forces opened fire on people approaching a food distribution site in the Gaza Strip on Monday,resulting in​ at least three deaths and dozens of injuries,according to⁣ health ⁢officials and a witness. The incident occurred near a distribution hub about a kilometer away.The military stated ​it fired warning shots at “suspects” nearing its troops.

The shooting took ‍place at the same location where, a day earlier, witnesses reported Israeli forces firing on crowds heading toward the food distribution point​ in southern Gaza, which is managed by the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation.

The Israeli⁣ military said warning shots were fired toward “several suspects” ​who posed a threat to troops near the closed food distribution site. The army denied preventing access to the‌ site.

The United Nations and major aid organizations have rejected the Gaza Humanitarian ⁣Foundation’s new food distribution system, citing violations of humanitarian principles and​ its inability to meet the needs of approximately ‌2 million people in the region. Experts have ⁣warned of⁢ famine due ‍to‍ an Israeli blockade.

In a separate ⁢incident, an Israeli strike on a residential building in northern Gaza resulted in 14 fatalities, according to health officials. Hospitals in the area confirmed the toll, ‌noting that women and children were among the dead.

The military reported striking “terror ‌targets” ⁣across northern Gaza but ‌did not provide further details. Israel maintains it targets militants and avoids harming civilians, ‌blaming Hamas for‍ civilian casualties due to ⁢the group’s presence in ‍populated areas.

A Red Cross field hospital received 50 injured individuals, including two dead on arrival, following the shooting in southern Gaza, according to a Red Cross spokesperson. most injuries were from‍ gunfire and shrapnel. A local hospital reported receiving a third‍ body.

Moataz al-Feirani, 21, being treated⁤ at Nasser hospital, said he was shot in the leg while walking with thousands toward the food distribution site. he ‍said Israeli ⁢forces opened fire as they approached the Flag Roundabout.

“We had had nothing, and they⁤ [the Israeli military] ‍ were watching us,” al-Feirani said, adding that drones were filming them.

On Sunday, local health officials, aid groups, and eyewitnesses reported that at least 31 people were killed and over 170 injured at the Flag Roundabout as crowds sought food aid. Witnesses said Israeli forces fired on the crowds after ordering them to disperse.

The Israeli military denied firing at‌ civilians near the site in Rafah, a military zone off-limits to independent media.an Israeli military‍ official said troops fired warning shots at suspects advancing toward them.

The‍ Gaza humanitarian foundation stated it delivered aid without incident on both days, denying previous reports of chaos and gunfire around its sites.

The‌ foundation issued a statement saying food recipients must stay on the designated‌ route to the hub and that Israeli troops are positioned to ensure security. “Leaving the road is extremely risky,” the statement said.

Secretary-General António Guterres said he was “appalled by the reports of Palestinians killed and injured while seeking aid in Gaza” on Sunday.⁢ “It​ is indeed unacceptable that Palestinians are risking their lives for food.”

“I call for an ⁤immediate ‌and independent investigation into these events ⁤and for perpetrators to be‍ held accountable,” Guterres said.

israel and the United States say the new food distribution system was established ⁣to⁣ bypass Hamas, which they accuse of diverting assistance.

UN agencies‌ deny any systemic diversion of aid and⁣ say the new system violates humanitarian principles ⁣by allowing Israel to control who receives food and by forcing⁢ Palestinians to travel long‌ distances to receive it.

Palestinians must pass close to Israeli forces‍ and cross military lines to reach the GHF hubs, unlike the UN aid network, which delivers aid to⁤ where Palestinians are located.

What’s next

Investigations‌ into⁢ the shootings are expected, and the international community is likely to increase pressure on Israel to ensure⁣ safe and equitable access to humanitarian aid for the people of Gaza.