GAZا (Palestine Foundation Information Center) At least 20 Palestinians were killed and over 200 wounded by Israeli occupation forces (IOF) on Monday morning near a humanitarian aid distribution center in the Al-Mawasi area, south of Gaza.
Victims had gathered to receive food assistance from the US-run aid point in Rafah when they came under direct gunfire, according to Gaza Civil Defense spokesperson Mahmoud Basal.
Many of the wounded are in critical condition and were rushed to the Red Cross field hospital in Khan Yunis.
Simultaneously, local sources reported IOF artillery and gunfire targeting civilians seeking aid north of the Nuseirat refugee camp in central Gaza.
Since May 27, IOF attacks on aid seekers have claimed the lives of 300 Palestinians and wounded 2,649, with nine still missing, according to Gaza’s Government Media Office (GMO).
Officials described these “US-Israeli mechanism” centers as “death traps,” accusing Israel of using hunger as bait to target desperate civilians.
UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk condemned Israel’s conduct, stating that its war tactics are inflicting “horrific and unacceptable suffering.” He called for an independent investigation into attacks near aid sites, criticizing Israel’s use of food as a weapon.
Since October 7, 2023, Israel—backed by the US—has waged a campaign of genocide in Gaza, resulting in over 184,000 Palestinian deaths and injuries, most of them women and children. More than 11,000 people remain missing amid mass displacement, famine, and systematic destruction.
