At least 18 Palestinians were reported killed on Friday by Israeli forces in various parts of Gaza, according to the territory’s civil defence agency. Among the casualties were 10 individuals allegedly shot while waiting for humanitarian aid in the Al-Shakoush area, northwest of Rafah—an incident adding to the growing concern over the safety of aid seekers in the war-torn region.
This tragedy coincides with alarming figures released by the United Nations, revealing that nearly 800 people have been killed while trying to access food aid since late May. The Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF)—a controversial private initiative reportedly backed by the U.S. and Israeli governments—has been central to these operations. The UN rights office states that 615 of the 798 aid-related deaths occurred near GHF sites.
UN spokesperson Ravina Shamdasani emphasized that the chaos and violence surrounding GHF distributions have made them untenable, prompting major international humanitarian groups to distance themselves from the foundation. Critics argue that GHF operations violate core humanitarian principles and cater more to Israeli military logistics than the needs of civilians.
The Israeli military responded to the UN’s claims by stating that efforts have been made to minimize civilian harm and that corrective measures have been implemented following internal reviews of past incidents.
Despite these assertions, violence continues. Gaza’s civil defence reported six additional fatalities in Khan Yunis from four separate Israeli air strikes, and two more deaths from drone attacks near Gaza City. Meanwhile, five people were killed in an overnight Israeli strike on a school in Jabalia al-Nazla that was sheltering displaced residents.
The ongoing military campaign—now stretching into its 22nd month—has left the majority of Gaza’s population displaced, with many seeking refuge in schools and temporary shelters. Yet these locations have not been spared from Israeli strikes, with the military frequently asserting the presence of Hamas militants in such sites.
Witness accounts from southern Gaza paint a bleak picture of life on the ground: ongoing gunfire, relentless airstrikes, and the destruction of displacement camps and agricultural areas. The Israeli military confirmed operations in Khan Yunis and surrounding regions, citing efforts to dismantle underground “terrorist infrastructure” and seize weaponry.
As the humanitarian situation continues to deteriorate, calls for a ceasefire and renewed international oversight have intensified. Without urgent intervention, the civilian death toll is likely to rise further, underscoring the urgent need for safe, impartial, and effective humanitarian aid distribution in Gaza.
