At Least 27 Palestinians Killed near Gaza Aid Site amid Renewed Israeli Violence

At least 27 Palestinians were killed and dozens wounded by Israeli gunfire near a food distribution point in the southern Gaza Strip on Tuesday, local health authorities said.

This marks the third consecutive day of bloodshed surrounding aid efforts in the area.

Much of the enclave has been devastated since the genocidal Israeli military campaign began.

Reuters was unable to independently verify the events reported in both northern and southern Gaza.

A spokesperson for the International Committee of the Red Cross told Reuters that 184 casualties were brought to its field hospital in Rafah.

Nineteen people were declared dead on arrival, and eight more succumbed to their injuries shortly afterward, the spokesperson said.

More than 35 patients required immediate medical intervention, they added.

The US-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation began distributing aid last week, aiming to address widespread hunger among displaced Gazans.

Most residents have fled their homes due to ongoing fighting.

The Foundation, which bypasses traditional humanitarian channels and is supported by Israel, has faced strong criticism from the United Nations and established NGOs. Critics argue it violates humanitarian principles.

The group said it distributed 21 truckloads of food on Tuesday, claiming the operation within the site was "conducted safely and without incident".

However, deadly incidents have occurred repeatedly around Rafah in recent days.

On Sunday, at least 31 Palestinians were reported killed, while three more died on Monday in similar circumstances.

The Israeli military denied targeting civilians during Sunday’s aid distribution and described reports of fatalities as "fabrications" by Hamas.

On Tuesday, the military said its forces identified "a number of suspects" approaching them after straying from permitted access routes.

"After the suspects failed to retreat, additional shots were fired near them," the army said.

U.N. Secretary-General António Guterres said Monday he was “appalled” by reports of Palestinians being killed while seeking aid.

He called for an independent investigation into the incident.

Late Monday, the Israeli military issued new evacuation orders for several districts in Khan Younis, warning residents that operations against militants would intensify.

Residents were advised to move west toward the Mawasi humanitarian zone.

Palestinian and UN officials have warned that no part of the Gaza Strip is truly safe, as most of the 2.3 million residents are already internally displaced.

Gaza's health ministry said the latest evacuation orders may force the shutdown of Nasser Hospital, the largest remaining medical facility in southern Gaza, potentially endangering patients’ lives.

Since Israel launched its genocidal offensive Gaza more than 54,000 Palestinians have been killed and 124,054 have been wounded.