At least five Palestinians killed and 29 injured by Israeli gunfire near Gaza food point
8 June 2025, 17:42 | Updated: 8 June 2025, 17:52
At least five Palestinians have reportedly been killed by Israeli gunfire close to a designated food point in Gaza.
Listen to this article
Loading audio...
The group of Palestinians had been travelling to the food point when the incident took place, with those killed queuing close to the aid centre in the hope it would open and food would be distributed.
According to Israel Defense Forces (IDF), troops discharged warning shots after issuing a verbal warning to the group.
The IDF added it deemed the group a threat, claiming the individuals began moving towards them despite the warnings.
It added it was aware of reports of Palestinian injuries: "The number... does not align with the information currently held by the IDF."
The distribution sites are part of a new aid system implemented by Israel in a bid to bypass the UN, amid claims Hamas is diverting aid to its fighters.
Read more: Israel vows to stop Greta Thunberg's aid boat reaching Gaza by 'any measures necessary'
The incident is said to have taken place shortly before dawn, close to an aid distribution site near Rafah in the south of Gaza.
The GHF has said it opened three sites at the time of the incident on Sunday - one in central Gaza at 06:00 local time, followed by two more in Rafah at midday.
One woman said her husband was shot in the head during the incident, with four of the bodies of the dead evacuated from the scene.
The woman said she had been waiting to collect food for their family following reports the aid point would be opening.
The bodies of the dead were reportedly taken to Nasser hospital in Khan Younis, according to The Guardian.
Al-Awda hospital said it had received the body of a 42-year-old male, as well as 29 people suffering from injuries following an incident at another GHF distribution point.
The Israeli army has said that Palestinians may only move to and from the GHF distribution sites between 06:00 and 18:00 local time.
It added that at all other times, the area is considered an "active combat zone".
The attack marks the latest Palestinian deaths to be recorded close to an aid distribution centre, after at least 31 people were killed while attempting to access aid last week.
The Gaza Humanitarian Foundation’s distribution of aid has been marred by chaos in recent days, and multiple witnesses have said Israeli troops fired on crowds near the delivery sites.
Before the incident, at least six people had been killed and more than 50 wounded according to local health officials.
![Sir Keir Starmer has called on Vladimir Putin to "stop dragging his heels and get to the [negotiating] table", as Trump calls the Russian president "misguided."](https://images.lbc.co.uk/images/734580?width=320&crop=16_9&format=webp&signature=hCtUT-QBb1QuxMxVTF6Ch2nl6Ow=)
