Israeli Troops Kill Dozens at Gaza Food Distribution Centers

A deadly attack on Monday near food distribution centers in Gaza left dozens dead, marking the worst day of violence since the new aid system began last month. Witnesses describe a chaotic scene as civilians attempted to access aid, only to be met with gunfire.

A Day of Unprecedented Violence

On Monday, Israeli forces opened fire near distribution centers supported by both the U.S. and Israel, according to witnesses. Health officials reported 34 fatalities, making it the deadliest day since these aid centers opened. The Israeli military has not yet commented on the event. Previously, they stated soldiers fired warning shots at individuals they considered threats, though they did not confirm any casualties.

Palestinians face a grim choice between starvation and risking death. They must navigate past Israeli forces to reach aid centers managed by the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, a private contractor. Since the centers opened, the Health Ministry in Hamas-controlled Gaza reports that hundreds have died, and more have been injured.

Witness Accounts of the Incident

Witnesses, including Heba Jouda and Mohamed Abed, recounted the events. They stated that Israeli troops began shooting as thousands gathered near the Flag Roundabout, before the scheduled opening of the Rafah food center. Jouda described a scene where, Fire was coming from everywhere. She also noted the situation was worsening daily.

The International Committee of the Red Cross reported that its nearby field hospital received approximately 200 injured individuals on Monday, the largest single mass casualty event it has seen. The Flag Roundabout, on the route designated by the Israeli military, has seen repeated shootings, often before the centers open or if people deviate from the path.

Aid System Under Scrutiny

The new aid distribution system, intended to replace the U.N.-led humanitarian efforts, has been criticized. U.N. agencies and major aid groups reject this system, arguing it cannot meet the population’s needs. They also claim it enables Israel to use food as a weapon to achieve its military goals, including relocating over two million Palestinians into a “sterile” enclave in southern Gaza. A Doctors Without Borders official, Anna Halford, described the system as neither a humanitarian enterprise nor a system. This is basically lethal chaos.

Since October 2023, Israel’s military campaign has killed over 55,300 Palestinians, according to the Gaza Health Ministry (AP News, 2025). More than half of the casualties are women and children. The conflict began after Hamas’s October 7, 2023, attack. Militants still hold 53 hostages, with most of the others released.