Israeli army opens fire on crowd waiting for aid in southern Gaza, killing 45 Palestinians

At least 45 Palestinians were killed and dozens more wounded on Tuesday after Israeli forces opened fire on Palestinians waiting for humanitarian aid at the al-Tahlia Roundabout in Khan Younis, according to health officials in Gaza.

The Gaza Health Ministry described the aftermath as catastrophic, stating that “emergency, intensive care, and operating rooms at Nasser Medical Complex are overcrowded with the large number of casualties and deaths.”

The deadly incident occurred near one of the controversial aid distribution sites run by the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, a group backed by the United States and Israel. 

Critics condemned the foundation’s operations in Israeli-controlled zones, labelling them “human slaughterhouses” due to repeated attacks on civilians during aid distributions.

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UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Turk also condemned Israel's conduct in Gaza, warning that its military tactics are causing "horrifying, unconscionable suffering" for the Palestinian population.

The attack added to the growing death toll from Israel’s ongoing military campaign in Gaza, now entering its 21st month. According to Gaza health authorities, the conflict has claimed the lives of at least 55,362 Palestinians, including thousands of children, women, and the elderly.

There has been no immediate comment from the Israeli military regarding the latest killings.

Humanitarian agencies and rights groups continue to urge the international community to intervene, warning that the situation in Gaza is rapidly deteriorating and that aid access must be protected under international law.