Israeli airstrikes and fire have led to the deaths of at least 35 Palestinians in the Gaza Strip, with a significant number occurring near a humanitarian aid distribution site operated by the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation. Local health authorities confirmed the casualties.

Medics at Al-Awda and Al-Aqsa Hospitals in central Gaza reported that around 15 individuals were killed as they attempted to access the aid distribution site close to the Netzarim corridor. The remaining victims lost their lives in separate attacks throughout the region. As of now, there has been no official response from the Israeli military or the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation regarding the incidents that took place on Saturday.

The Gaza Humanitarian Foundation initiated the distribution of food packages in Gaza at the end of May, introducing a new aid distribution model that the United Nations has described as lacking impartiality and neutrality. The Gaza health ministry released a statement on Saturday indicating that since the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation began its operations, at least 274 individuals have been killed and over 2,000 have been injured near aid distribution sites.

Hamas, refuting Israeli allegations of aid theft, accused Israel of using hunger as a weapon of war and turning aid distribution sites into deadly traps for innocent civilians. Later on Saturday, health officials at Shifa Hospital in Gaza confirmed that Israeli fire resulted in the deaths of at least 12 Palestinians who had gathered to receive aid trucks along the coastal road north of the strip, bringing the total death toll for the day to at least 35.

The Israeli military instructed residents of Khan Younis and nearby towns in the southern Gaza Strip to evacuate their homes and move west towards a designated humanitarian zone, citing intentions to combat "terror organizations" in the area. The conflict in Gaza began 20 months ago following an attack by Hamas-led militants on Israel, during which 251 individuals were taken hostage and 1,200 people, primarily civilians, were killed on Oct 7, 2023, marking Israel's deadliest day.

Since then, Israel's military operations have resulted in the deaths of nearly 55,000 Palestinians, the majority of whom were civilians, according to Gaza health authorities. The densely populated strip, home to over two million people, has been extensively damaged, displacing much of the population and leading to widespread malnutrition.

Despite mediation efforts by the United States, Egypt, and Qatar to establish a ceasefire in Gaza, both Israel and Hamas have remained steadfast in their demands, attributing the failure to reach an agreement to each other.