Israeli Forces Fire on Aid Seekers in Rafah, killing Multiple palestinians; Minister Calls for Gaza Annexation

Rafah, Gaza – August 4, 2025 – Israeli soldiers opened fire on civilians waiting for food rations near Rafah in southern gaza today, killing at least seven people, according to eyewitness accounts and reports from civil defense officials. The incident occurred at a distribution site operated by the U.S.- and Israeli-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF). This latest violence comes amidst escalating concerns over humanitarian access in the besieged territory and a provocative move by a senior Israeli minister calling for annexation of Gaza.Jabr al-Shaer,a 31-year-old witness,told Agence France-Presse (AFP) via phone that the soldiers fired on the crowd despite the absence of any apparent threat. “The soldiers opened fire on people. I was there, no one posed any threat” to the Israeli forces, he stated. The israeli military has yet to comment on the incident.

This shooting follows a similar event on Sunday, August 3rd, where five palestinians were killed near another GHF aid site in central Gaza, according to Mahmud Bassal, a spokesperson for Gaza’s civil defense. Combined, these incidents raise the death toll for the weekend to at least twelve, further exacerbating the already dire humanitarian crisis.

Context: The Ongoing Crisis in Gaza and Hostage Negotiations

The escalating violence occurs against the backdrop of the ongoing conflict stemming from Hamas’s October 7, 2023 attack on Israel, which resulted in the deaths of approximately 1,219 people, primarily civilians. Israel’s subsequent military campaign in Gaza has, according to the Hamas-run territory’s health ministry (figures deemed reliable by the UN), killed at least 60,430 Palestinians, also overwhelmingly civilians.The UN estimates over 80% of Gaza’s population – roughly 2.3 million people – are internally displaced, facing severe shortages of food, water, medicine, and shelter.

The GHF, established in 2018 with funding from both U.S. and Israeli sources, aims to provide humanitarian aid to Gaza. However, its operations have been repeatedly hampered by logistical challenges and security concerns. The foundation’s website lists Dr. Khaled Al-Batsh, a prominent Palestinian figure with ties to Hamas, as a board member, a detail that has drawn scrutiny from some Israeli officials.

Currently, 49 hostages taken during the October 7th attack remain in Gaza, with the Israeli military confirming that 27 are presumed dead. Most of the 251 hostages initially seized were released during brief ceasefires in November 2023,frequently enough in exchange for Palestinians held in Israeli prisons. Negotiations for further hostage releases, mediated by Qatar, Egypt, and the united States, remain stalled. The families of the hostages, including those of mr. Braslavski and Mr. David (mentioned in the original article),continue to advocate for their return.

Escalating tensions in Jerusalem and Calls for Annexation

Adding to the volatile situation, far-right Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir conducted jewish prayers at the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound in Israeli-annexed East Jerusalem today. This marks the first time a sitting government minister has openly prayed at the site, a move widely condemned by Palestinians and international observers.

The Al-Aqsa compound is Islam’s third-holiest site and revered by jews as the Temple Mount. A long-standing agreement prohibits non-Muslim prayer at the site, but Ben Gvir has repeatedly challenged this convention. In a statement filmed at the compound, Ben Gvir called for the annexation of gaza and the “voluntary emigration” of its population – a statement interpreted by many as advocating for the forced displacement of Palestinians.

The Palestine Red Crescent Society reported that one of its staff members was killed in an Israeli attack on its headquarters in Khan Yunis, southern Gaza. The Israeli military claimed to be “not aware of a strike” in that area.

Verification Challenges & Ongoing Concerns

Access to Gaza remains severely restricted, making self-reliant verification of casualty figures and details of incidents extremely tough. AFP notes its inability to independently confirm tolls and details provided by various parties. The ongoing conflict and media restrictions contribute to a lack of openness and raise concerns about accountability.

Key details Not in Original Article:

GHF Background: Facts about the foundation’s establishment, funding sources, and a key board member.
Hostage Numbers: Specific numbers regarding hostages released and presumed dead.
October 7th Attack Details: clarification of the attack’s date and approximate death toll.
Displacement Figures: The estimated number of internally