At least 30 Palestinians were killed and over 150 others wounded on Sunday when Israeli forces opened fire on civilians gathered to receive humanitarian aid in Al-Mawasi, west of Rafah in southern Gaza, Anadolu Agency reported. Eyewitnesses said large crowds assembled early Sunday morning at an aid distribution point operated by the U.S.-backed "Gaza Humanitarian Foundation." As civilians moved toward the center, Israeli military vehicles allegedly opened fire while drones dropped explosives, resulting in mass casualties. Medical personnel confirmed that the bodies of at least 30 victims, along with dozens of wounded, were taken to the Nasser Medical Complex in Khan Younis and to the International Committee of the Red Cross field hospital nearby. In a preliminary statement, the Gaza Health Ministry said 179 people had been brought to local hospitals following the assault. The toll included 21 confirmed dead, five in a state of clinical death, and 30 in critical condition. The ministry described the situation as dire, with ambulances struggling to reach victims due to continued gunfire. Some casualties were evacuated using carts. In a parallel incident, Israeli forces reportedly fired on civilians near another American-operated aid center close to the Netzarim corridor in central Gaza. At Al-Bureij camp, one person was killed and 20 injured after gunfire targeted a gathering at the entrance to the camp, according to medical sources at Al-Awda Hospital in Nuseirat. The Government Media Office in Gaza condemned the attacks, accusing Israel of weaponizing humanitarian aid to "blackmail starving civilians and forcibly gather them in exposed killing zones." Sunday's incidents bring the number of Palestinians killed near aid distribution points to at least 39 over the past week, with more than 220 injured, according to a tally by Anadolu based on Palestinian sources. The American aid initiative under the name "Gaza Humanitarian Foundation," which launched operations about a week ago, has drawn sharp criticism from Palestinian communities and humanitarian organizations. Many have questioned its legitimacy and accused it of bypassing UN frameworks and established international humanitarian protocols. Since March 2, Israel has closed all Gaza border crossings, cutting off the flow of food, medicine, and fuel to the enclave's 2.4 million residents. The blockade comes amid Israel's ongoing offensive in Gaza, which began in October 2023 and has resulted in nearly 54,400 Palestinian deaths—most of them women and children. International concern over the crisis has intensified. In November, the International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant over alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity. Israel also faces a genocide case at the International Court of Justice. — Agencies
