Israeli Fire Kills 25 Gazans Waiting for Aid

Deir al-Balah (Gaza Strip): At least 25 Palestinians were killed early Tuesday when Israeli forces and drones fired on crowds waiting for aid trucks in central Gaza, according to witnesses and hospital officials.
The shooting occurred near the Salah al-Din Road, south of Wadi Gaza. Awda Hospital in Nuseirat said it received the bodies and treated 146 wounded, including 62 in critical condition. Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital in Deir al-Balah reported six additional deaths from the same incident.
Witnesses said Israeli tanks and drones opened fire as people moved toward the approaching trucks. "It was a massacre," said Ahmed Halawa. "They fired even as we fled." Another witness described a “chaotic and bloody” scene as drones observed the crowd before the attack.
The Israeli military said it was reviewing reports and noted that people had approached troops near the east-west Netzarim corridor.
Palestinian health officials say such shootings have killed hundreds in recent weeks. The military claims it fires warning shots at people acting suspiciously.
The deaths come amid the ongoing war that has killed around 56,000 Palestinians, over half of them women and children, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry. The war began after Hamas’ October 7 attack on Israel, which killed about 1,200 people and resulted in 251 hostages, most of whom were later released.