IRIA News

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Israeli forces killed at least 70 Palestinians and injured hundreds more on June 17, 2025, as crowds gathered in southern Gaza to collect desperately needed food supplies. The incident became the single deadliest day around aid distribution sites since the start of the war in Gaza.

The tragic killing of aid seekers took place along the main eastern road in Khan Younis, where thousands of civilians had assembled, hoping to receive flour and other essentials from the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF).

According to Gaza’s Civil Defense and medical sources, the violence erupted when Israeli drones, tanks, and machine guns fired into a dense crowd of civilians. Medics at Nasser Hospital, which is currently treating the majority of the casualties, warned that the death toll may rise significantly due to the critical condition of many of the wounded.

“Israeli drones fired at the citizens. Some minutes later, Israeli tanks fired several shells at the citizens, which led to a large number of martyrs and wounded,” said Mahmud Bassal, spokesperson for Gaza Civil Defence. “The crowd had assembled in the hope of receiving flour.”

Reports on the ground indicate that more than 200 people were wounded in the attack, although numbers continue to shift amid the chaos. Eyewitnesses described harrowing scenes of chaos and devastation.

The sheer scale of the violence marks a grim milestone. Tuesday’s attack now holds the record for the highest number of casualties in a single day near a GHF aid distribution site, surpassing Monday’s previous toll of 38 dead in Rafah. Since GHF operations began on May 26, more than 300 Palestinians have reportedly been killed and over 2,000 wounded while trying to obtain food assistance.

The United Nations has voiced strong condemnation of the latest tragedy. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres called for accountability and described the ongoing violence against civilians seeking aid as “unacceptable.”

“The Secretary-General condemns the loss of lives and injuries to civilians in Gaza, who were once again being shot at while seeking food,” said Deputy Spokesman Farhan Haq at a press briefing in New York. “As of yesterday, 338 people have been killed and more than 2,800 injured while trying to access food near distribution sites.”

Targeted a humanitarian operation

The Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), backed by Israel and the United States, began limited food aid distribution operations in late May, after Israel eased what had been a near-total blockade on food, fuel, and medicine for nearly three months. The blockade had raised alarm over an imminent famine among Gaza’s 2.3 million residents.

Yet, GHF’s operations have been controversial from the outset. The United Nations and several major aid groups, including the World Food Program and Médecins Sans Frontières (Doctors Without Borders), have refused to cooperate with the GHF.

Their concerns include claims that the Foundation prioritizes Israeli military considerations over humanitarian needs and bypasses long-established relief organizations with expertise and infrastructure across the territory.

In previous similar incidents, which have occurred almost daily since May 26, the Israeli military claimed that its forces had fired only warning shots at what it described as “suspects” approaching military positions. However, these statements often did not clarify whether live rounds were fired into the crowds or whether those targeted were combatants. Tuesday’s incident appears to follow the same pattern but on a far deadlier scale.

Medical system on the brink

Adding to the crisis, Gaza’s health system is nearing total collapse. The World Health Organization (WHO) on Tuesday renewed urgent pleas for fuel deliveries, which are essential to keep hospitals operating. No fuel has been allowed into Gaza for more than 100 days, and requests to retrieve fuel from evacuation zones have been denied by Israeli authorities.

“For over 100 days, no fuel has entered Gaza and attempts to retrieve stocks from evacuation zones have been denied,” said Rik Peeperkorn, WHO’s representative in the Palestinian territories.

Of Gaza’s 36 hospitals, only 17 remain even partially operational. Collectively, they offer around 1,500 beds, less than half the capacity available before Israel launched its current offensive on Gaza. Medical professionals continue to warn that without fuel and medical supplies, even these few remaining facilities will shut down, further compounding the humanitarian disaster.

International repercussions

The killings of Palestinians are likely to heighten international criticism of Israel’s conduct in Gaza, particularly its handling of aid operations and the use of force against civilians. Human rights groups and multiple UN agencies have repeatedly accused Israel of violating international humanitarian law in its prosecution of the war.

The growing death toll at aid sites is also placing pressure on the U.S.’s Trump administration, whose backing of the GHF and support for Israel’s military campaign have come under increasing scrutiny, particularly as the humanitarian crisis deepens.