Gaza, July 21 (V7N) – At least 67 people were killed and dozens more wounded by Israeli gunfire while waiting for United Nations humanitarian aid trucks in northern Gaza on Saturday, according to a statement by the Gaza Health Ministry. The shooting marks one of the deadliest incidents in a series of recent attacks targeting civilians seeking essential relief amid the ongoing conflict.
 
The tragedy occurred as thousands of Palestinians gathered in the north in hopes of receiving urgently needed supplies. Gaza's health authorities reported that the victims were civilians, many of whom had already been displaced multiple times due to Israeli military operations.
 
The Israeli military acknowledged the incident, stating that its forces had fired “warning shots” toward a large crowd that it claimed posed an “immediate threat.” However, no evidence has been provided to support the claim that the victims represented any such threat.
 
This marks the second mass casualty incident at aid distribution sites within just two days. On July 19, 36 people were reportedly killed under similar circumstances. Additionally, the health ministry confirmed that six others were killed near a separate aid location in southern Gaza.
 
Meanwhile, Israel has issued new evacuation orders in parts of Gaza already densely populated with displaced people. As the orders take effect, residents—many of whom have nowhere left to go—were seen beginning to move again, deepening the ongoing humanitarian crisis.
 
International humanitarian agencies have repeatedly warned that Gaza is on the brink of collapse, with food, medicine, and clean water in critically short supply. Human rights organizations have also raised alarm over the targeting of civilians during aid distribution, calling for independent investigations and immediate protection of non-combatants under international law.
 
The conflict, now in its tenth month, has left over 38,000 Palestinians dead, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry, and displaced nearly 2 million people. Despite repeated calls for ceasefire and humanitarian corridors, violence continues to escalate, severely hindering aid access to vulnerable populations.
 
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