Deadly Aid Center Attacks in Gaza: 56 Palestinians Killed, UN Slams Israel's “Inhumane Strategy”

PNN International Desk Report: At least 56 Palestinians were killed in the Gaza Strip on Monday morning, with 38 of them reportedly shot dead while waiting for food aid near humanitarian distribution centers, according to local medical sources. The majority of the fatalities occurred in Rafah, where civilians had gathered at aid sites operated by the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF) — a US- and Israeli-backed distribution initiative.

Critics are now calling these aid sites "death centers", as they are often located in Israeli-controlled zones where civilian safety is frequently compromised. Survivors of Monday’s attack, Heba Jouda and Mohammad Abed, described the horror at Rafah's Flag Roundabout, where they were fired upon at 4 AM. “Bullets were coming from every direction,” said Heba. “Each day becomes more dangerous.”

In addition to the Rafah casualties, Israeli strikes also killed three more people in northern Gaza and two in Gaza City, further intensifying the humanitarian catastrophe.

UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk condemned the Israeli military’s actions, calling them “inhumane” and a source of “unspeakable suffering.” He emphasized, “Israel is weaponizing food and obstructing emergency assistance,” and called for an independent and impartial investigation into the killings. Türk noted that at least 55,362 people have been killed in Gaza since the escalation began 20 months ago — including thousands of children.

Since its inception in late May, the GHF distribution network has reportedly seen over 300 deaths and more than 2,000 injuries near its centers. Despite being promoted as a humanitarian effort, GHF has been boycotted by the United Nations and several international aid organizations, which allege that it prioritizes Israeli military interests over humanitarian needs.

Following the latest bloodshed near Rafah and the Netzarim Corridor, GHF has temporarily suspended operations in several zones.

Reporting from Deir al-Balah, Al Jazeera’s correspondent Tareq Abu Azzoum highlighted the desperation gripping Gaza: “The current aid distribution model is sowing chaos and despair. Many starving Palestinians now face an impossible choice — stay home and die hungry, or risk their lives for a sack of flour.”

As global condemnation mounts, pressure is growing on Israel and its allies to reform the aid mechanisms and ensure civilian protection, while humanitarian advocates stress the urgent need for neutral and secure aid delivery systems.

Photo: Gaza (Source: Reuters)