At least 93 Palestinians queuing for food aid have been killed, according to officials in the Hamas-run Gaza Strip, most of them reportedly shot by Israeli forces at the Zikim crossing.
Many of those killed were shot during chaotic scenes at the Zikim crossing between Israel and northern Gaza, according to officials. The UN World Food Programme reported that a convoy of 25 aid trucks entering Gaza was quickly overwhelmed by “massive crowds of hungry civilians” – chaos that soon turned deadly as gunfire erupted.
“WFP reiterates that any violence involving civilians seeking humanitarian aid is completely unacceptable,” it said in a statement.
A UN official, speaking anonymously due to media restrictions, said Israeli forces opened fire on crowds attempting to retrieve food from the aid convoy. Footage taken by UN officials and shared with the Associated Press showed scenes of Palestinian men fleeing amid the sound of automatic gunfire.
“Suddenly, tanks surrounded us and trapped us as gunshots and strikes rained down. We were trapped for around two hours,” said Ehab Al-Zei, who had been waiting for flour and said he hadn’t eaten bread in 15 days.
Speaking amid the chaos of bodies being carried away, he added: “I will never go back again. Let us die of hunger, it’s better.”
Nafiz Al-Najjar, who was injured, said tanks and drones targeted people “randomly” and he saw his cousin and others shot dead.
The Israeli military claimed those killed posed a threat but disputed Gaza’s death toll.
Meanwhile, Israel issued new evacuation orders in central Gaza, raising fears of fresh offensives in areas packed with displaced people and potentially holding Israeli hostages.
In central Deir al-Balah, Israeli airstrikes hit three houses, prompting dozens of families to flee with whatever belongings they could carry, according to Reuters.
The Hostages Family Forum, a grassroots group representing many relatives of those held captive, criticised the new evacuation order and called on Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu and the Israeli military to clarify their objectives in central Gaza.
“Enough! The Israeli people overwhelmingly want an end to the fighting and a comprehensive agreement that will return all of the hostages,” the forum said.
On Saturday night, during a weekly protest, tens of thousands marched in Tel Aviv to the branch of the US embassy, demanding an end to the war.
Pope Leo XIV has strongly condemned the ongoing war in Gaza, calling out its “barbarity” and the “indiscriminate use of force”.
