Israeli Forces Kill 23 Palestinians Seeking Food in Gaza Amid Hunger Crisis

Israeli forces killed at least 23 Palestinians on Sunday as they sought food aid in Gaza, with hospital officials and eyewitnesses reporting gunfire on crowds near distribution points amid a worsening hunger crisis. The killings occurred along routes to aid sites controlled by the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), a U.S.- and Israeli-backed contractor that took over food distribution more than two months ago amid Israel's blockade and a nearly two-year offensive that experts warn has pushed Gaza toward famine. Eyewitnesses described indiscriminate fire from Israeli troops as desperate Palestinians advanced toward the aid sites, which are located in military-controlled zones; hospitals confirmed multiple casualties across southern and central Gaza, including near Khan Younis, Rafah, Morag, and Netzarim corridors. The United Nations reported 859 deaths near GHF-run sites between late May and July, with hundreds more killed while approaching UN-led food convoys, highlighting the deadly challenges residents face in accessing humanitarian aid. Despite Israel's claims of tactical military pauses to allow aid deliveries, Palestinians continue to risk their lives under fire, with many fearing not only military violence but also criminal gangs on the way home. The ongoing siege and violence have left Gaza’s population of over 2 million facing severe malnutrition and a humanitarian catastrophe.