At least 22 Palestinians were killed and over 120 injured on Sunday after Israeli gunfire targeted an area near a U.S.-backed aid distribution site in Rafah, southern Gaza, according to Gaza civil defence officials. The attack occurred just hours after the U.S. dismissed Hamas’s latest response to a ceasefire proposal as “totally unacceptable.”
Humanitarian conditions in Gaza continue to deteriorate under a months-long blockade. The UN has warned of looming famine, and international criticism of Israel’s handling of aid access is mounting—even among its allies.
A new U.S.-supported organization, the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), has taken over food distribution from traditional UN channels. GHF claims to have provided over 2.1 million meals since launching last week, but the aid effort has faced chaos and violence at distribution points.
Eyewitness Accounts of the Attack
Mahmud Bassal, spokesman for Gaza’s civil defence, reported that gunfire from Israeli drones and tanks erupted near one of the aid centres. The wounded were transported to Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis.
Sameh Hamuda, a 33-year-old displaced resident of Beit Lahia, described scenes of panic:
“They began distributing aid, then suddenly drones and tanks opened fire. People were killed right in front of me.”
Abdullah Barbakh, 58, said the situation quickly turned into “chaos, screaming, and overcrowding,” adding:
“Why call people to receive aid and then shoot at them?”
The Israeli military responded, stating it was “unaware of injuries caused by IDF fire” at the aid site and is currently investigating.
Aid Access and International Disputes
Despite Israel easing its total blockade recently, aid remains scarce. The GHF effort has drawn criticism from major humanitarian organizations and the UN, which refuse to cooperate, citing concerns that the foundation is aligned with Israeli military interests.
Reports of looting and violence have further complicated relief efforts.
Stalled Ceasefire Talks
Meanwhile, diplomatic efforts for a ceasefire continue to stall. Hamas recently accepted parts of a U.S.-backed truce plan but insisted on a permanent ceasefire—something Israel has consistently opposed.
U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff dismissed Hamas’s reply as “totally unacceptable,” warning that it jeopardizes the release of hostages and broader peace efforts. He urged Hamas to agree to the proposed 60-day truce, which would see the return of hostages and launch further negotiations.
According to the Israeli military, of the 251 people kidnapped during Hamas’s October 7, 2023 attack, 57 remain in Gaza, including 34 believed to be dead.
Casualty Toll
Since Israel resumed its offensive on March 18, over 4,100 people have been killed in Gaza, bringing the total death toll to over 54,000 mostly civilians according to Gaza’s health ministry.
The October 7 attack by Hamas resulted in 1,218 Israeli deaths, also primarily civilians.
