Attack near Gaza aid delivery point killed more than 50 people, CBS News has learned as Israel denies involvement

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In a tragic incident on Sunday, over 50 individuals lost their lives and many others sustained injuries following an attack near a food aid distribution center in the Gaza Strip. This information has been confirmed by the Hamas-run Gaza Health Ministry as well as numerous witnesses. The Israeli military has denied any involvement from its forces in this incident.

Witnesses reported that the victims were targeted as they made their way to receive food supplies about 1,000 yards from an aid site in Rafah, which is affiliated with an Israel-backed foundation. “There was fire from all directions, from naval warships, from tanks and drones,” recounted Amr Abu Teiba, who was among the crowd present at the scene. He noted seeing at least ten bodies with gunshot wounds, alongside numerous wounded, including women, as people used carts to transport the deceased and injured to a nearby field hospital. “The scene was horrible,” he added.

According to CBS News, the death toll has reached at least 51, with more than 170 injured. In a statement, Israel’s military clarified that their forces did not target civilians either near or within the aid distribution site, referencing an initial investigation.

Following the assault, the bodies of the deceased were transferred to Nasser Hospital for funeral arrangements after Israeli soldiers reportedly opened fire on Palestinians attempting to reach U.S. aid distribution points west of Rafah. The U.S. and Israeli-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF) stated that they successfully delivered 16 truckloads of aid “without incident” earlier on Sunday, disputing claims of “false reporting about deaths, mass injuries and chaos” around their facilities, which are located in Israeli military zones with limited independent access.

Previous aid distributions by the GHF have faced turmoil, and several witnesses have recounted instances of Israeli troops firing upon crowds near these sites, according to the Associated Press. The foundation maintains that the private security contractors overseeing its sites have not opened fire on the crowds, while Israeli military officials have acknowledged firing warning shots during earlier incidents.

Israel and the U.S. assert that their new aid distribution system aims to prevent Hamas from misappropriating assistance, though Israel has not provided evidence supporting claims of significant diversion, which the United Nations disputes. U.N. agencies and prominent aid organizations have declined to collaborate with this new system, arguing that it undermines humanitarian principles by allowing Israel to exert control over aid recipients while compelling people to relocate to distribution points, potentially exacerbating the already severe displacement crisis.

Aid deliveries to Gaza, home to approximately 2 million Palestinians, have been severely hindered by Israeli restrictions, widespread lawlessness, and rampant looting, according to various humanitarian organizations. Experts have issued warnings regarding the looming threat of famine if additional aid is not forthcoming.

Meanwhile, the incident unfolded amidst deteriorating ceasefire negotiations between Israel and Hamas. Both parties have been exchanging blame as mediation efforts to establish a temporary ceasefire and secure the release of Israeli hostages held in Gaza continue to stall. Hamas expressed its desire on Saturday for modifications to a U.S.-backed ceasefire proposal, yet President Trump’s special envoy to the Middle East dismissed their response as “totally unacceptable.”

“Hamas should accept the framework proposal we put forward as the basis for proximity talks, which we can begin immediately this coming week,” said the office of Steve Witkoff in a statement.

In response, Basem Naim, a member of Hamas’ political bureau, remarked that Hamas did not reject the proposal. “Nevertheless, we now responded positively and responsibly in a manner that fulfilled the minimum of demands and aspirations of our people,” Naim stated. “Why, each time, is the Israeli response considered the only response for negotiation? This violates the integrity and fairness of mediation and constitutes a complete bias towards the other side.”

The ongoing conflict erupted on October 7, 2023, when Hamas-led militants invaded southern Israel, resulting in the deaths of approximately 1,200 people, primarily civilians, and the abduction of 251 individuals. Currently, 58 hostages remain in captivity, with roughly a third believed to be alive after earlier releases in ceasefire agreements.

According to Gaza’s Health Ministry, more than 54,000 people, predominantly women and children, have lost their lives as a result of Israel’s military campaign, which has devastated large areas of the territory. The conflict has displaced around 90% of Gaza’s population, rendering many entirely dependent on international aid.

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Marcus Delaney
Marcus covers Wall Street, small business, and economic trends. With an MBA and journalism background, he simplifies complex financial stories into sharp, practical insights for American professionals and investors.

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