At least five Palestinians were killed and more than 70 others wounded on Saturday as Israeli occupation forces opened fire on desperate civilians gathering near an aid distribution center in western Rafah, in yet another deadly attack on humanitarian access in southern Gaza.

The incident is the latest in a string of assaults on Palestinians seeking food and assistance amid Israel’s ongoing military offensive and total blockade, which has pushed the enclave to the brink of famine and collapse.

Elsewhere in the Gaza Strip, Israeli airstrikes and drone attacks continued to target residential areas and displacement camps. Medical sources reported that five civilians, including two children, were killed in the Al-Mawasi area of Khan Yunis after an Israeli drone struck tents sheltering displaced families. A young girl also succumbed to injuries sustained in a previous Israeli strike on the city.

In central Gaza, Israeli gunfire near another aid distribution point along the so-called “Netzarim Corridor” killed one civilian and wounded several others. The corridor, repeatedly targeted by occupation forces, has become a perilous zone for civilians trying to access life-saving aid.

Meanwhile, Israeli troops reportedly detonated residential buildings in Jabalia in northern Gaza and in eastern Gaza City, continuing a pattern of widespread destruction that has displaced over a million Palestinians and decimated civilian infrastructure.

Aid Under Fire

The repeated attacks on aid distribution sites have drawn sharp criticism from humanitarian organizations. Juliette Touma, Communications Director for UNRWA, condemned the current aid delivery model as unworkable and deadly.

“It’s as if you’re inviting people to their own death,” she said, highlighting the impossible choices facing civilians forced to risk their lives just to receive food or medical assistance.

Despite growing international outrage, the humanitarian situation in Gaza continues to worsen. According to Gaza’s Health Ministry, the death toll from Israeli attacks since October 7, 2023, has now reached 54,772, with at least 125,834 injured. The majority of casualties are civilians — including tens of thousands of children and women.

Entire neighborhoods lie in ruins, hospitals have been destroyed or forced out of service, and aid convoys are regularly blocked or attacked. Human rights groups have warned that Israel’s ongoing actions in Gaza may amount to war crimes and crimes against humanity.

As the world marks the holy days of Eid al-Adha, the people of Gaza are left mourning their dead, sheltering under bombardment, and pleading for international intervention to halt the killing and ensure aid can reach those who need it most. (ILKHA)