At least 13 Palestinians were killed on Saturday in separate Israeli attacks on Gaza, according to the enclave’s civil defence agency, as violence continues to escalate amid a deepening humanitarian crisis.
Mahmud Bassal, spokesperson for Gaza’s civil defence, said six people were fatally shot around 7:00 am local time (0400 GMT) near the Al-Alam roundabout in southern Gaza’s Rafah region. The area has become a daily gathering point for thousands of residents seeking humanitarian aid from a nearby distribution centre.
The aid centre, located approximately one kilometre from Al-Alam, is run by the US-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), which began operations in late May following Israel’s partial lifting of a two-month blockade on the territory.
Eyewitness Samir Abu Hadid, who was at the scene, recounted the moment violence broke out. “As soon as some people tried to advance towards the aid centre, the Israeli occupation forces opened fire from armoured vehicles stationed near the centre, firing into the air and then at civilians,” he told AFP.
When contacted, the Israeli military said it was investigating the incident, which is one of several fatal shootings reported near the Al-Alam aid point in recent weeks.
In a separate strike in northern Gaza earlier the same day, seven more people were reportedly killed when an Israeli airstrike hit a residential building near the Al-Shifa hospital in Gaza City.
Israel’s military has also stated it is reviewing that incident.
Meanwhile, the United Nations has voiced concern over the mounting humanitarian toll, warning that Gaza’s entire population—over two million people—is at risk of starvation. The UN has opted not to partner with the GHF, citing concerns about maintaining neutrality in the conflict.
