Reports from rescuers and medics indicate that at least 12 Palestinians were shot and killed by Israeli forces while waiting for aid in central Gaza. The incident occurred near an aid distribution site operated by the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), which is backed by the US and Israel. The GHF denied any involvement in the incident, while the Israeli military stated that 'suspects' had approached their forces in the Netzarim area, leading to warning shots being fired. This tragic event is part of a series of almost daily shootings near aid sites in Gaza.

Since late May, when the GHF took over aid distribution in Gaza, hundreds of Palestinians have lost their lives. Most casualties have been linked to incidents surrounding aid delivery, rather than Israeli strikes on Hamas targets. Gaza's health ministry reported that 12 people were killed while seeking aid since midnight, with the Hamas-run civil defence agency confirming the deaths near the Netzarim corridor. Civil defence official Mohammad al-Mughayyir stated that 15 people died and 60 were injured in the gunfire. Due to restrictions on international news organisations entering Gaza, verifying these figures has been challenging.

Witnesses described a chaotic scene at the GHF distribution site, with thousands of people gathering overnight before Israeli forces opened fire around 01:00 local time. The GHF refuted any involvement in the incident, accusing the Gaza health ministry of spreading false information. Hamas, in a statement, called for the UN and its humanitarian agencies to take over aid distribution in Gaza.

The Israeli military claimed that individuals had approached their forces in a threatening manner, leading to the use of force. This tragic event underscores the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Gaza and the challenges faced by aid distribution efforts in the region.