48 Palestinians kil.led’

Blood and flour stained the ground as dozens of Palestinians were killed and hundreds injured when gunmen opened fire at a food aid distribution site in Gaza.

The Israeli Defence Forces (IDF), who oversee the Zikim Crossing, admitted firing warning shots after soldiers reportedly felt threatened by the crowd. A local hospital later confirmed over 48 deaths and many more wounded at the scene.

Hamas alleged the gunfire lasted nearly three hours as desperate people gathered around aid trucks. Graphic images showed bodies being removed in carts meant for carrying supplies and people clutching flour bags amid the chaos.

The Palestinian NGO Network accused the Israeli military of turning aid points into deadly traps, claiming civilians are being targeted when they are most vulnerable. However, the IDF stated their shots were not aimed at the crowd and suggested internal unrest and aid truck accidents may have caused the fatalities.

Food and aid are scarce in Gaza under a long-running blockade. Lawlessness and desperation have led to chaotic scenes at aid distributions, with Gaza now considered one of the most expensive places in the world for food.

At Al-Saraya Field Hospital, over 100 dead and wounded were received, with officials warning the death toll could rise. Malnutrition has also claimed more lives, including children, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry.

Israel says it’s increasing aid access, but only a fraction of necessary supplies are getting in. Meanwhile, more than 1,000 Palestinians have reportedly died while seeking aid since May, as conflict and humanitarian need continue to intensify.