Israeli Gunfire at Gaza Aid Site Kills 27, Chaos Unfolds in Rafah

Israeli Gunfire At Gaza Aid Site Kills 27, Chaos Unfolds In Rafah (IMG SOURCE: reuters.com)

Another day. Another deadly round of gunfire. This time, the horror unfolded at an aid distribution site in southern Gaza — and it’s sparked a storm.

On Monday, Israeli forces opened fire near a crowd gathered for humanitarian aid in Rafah, killing at least 27 people and wounding dozens more, according to The New York Times. That’s on top of two other bloody incidents over the weekend, leaving even more Palestinians dead.

The Israeli military says it was targeting “a threat.” But let’s be real — that explanation’s not exactly quelling outrage.

The Times reports that the shooting happened near the Kuwait Roundabout, a spot in Rafah where people had gathered after word spread that flour would be distributed. Eyewitnesses described the chaos: bullets flying, people screaming, and bodies hitting the ground.

One survivor, Wael Abu Omar, told The Times he saw people shot “in the head and the back” while standing in line. “They were unarmed. They were just waiting for food,” he said.

The Israeli military told the paper it was responding to “a threat that was identified,” adding that “the incident is under review.”

Meanwhile, Gaza health officials say the death toll from this one event may climb, with hospitals overwhelmed and rescue efforts stretched thin.

The United Nations had already called for an investigation after the previous two shootings at aid sites in the area. Now, with this third tragedy, pressure is ramping up fast.

Michael Fakhri, the U.N. special rapporteur on the right to food, told The Times that repeated attacks on aid seekers “may constitute war crimes.” He called the situation “a complete failure of humanitarian protection.”

And here’s the kicker — all this happened while people were just trying to get food. Flour. Basic sustenance. In a region where famine is already knocking loudly at the door.

According to The Times, some families had traveled miles, many on foot, just to reach the aid point — believing the site was safe. But after three consecutive shootings, that belief is vanishing fast.

Back in Israel, officials haven’t offered much detail, and The Times says the military declined to clarify what threat prompted the firing.

One senior Western official, speaking anonymously, called the incident “deeply troubling,” especially because civilians were killed in an area previously designated for aid.

The Biden administration told The Times it was “closely monitoring” the situation and reiterated calls for Israel to protect civilians.

This latest shooting has added fuel to a growing international fire over how the war in Gaza is being conducted — and who’s paying the highest price.

Spoiler: it’s not the people holding the rifles.