Israeli forces have once again opened fire on Palestinians seeking humanitarian aid at a distribution site in Gaza, increasing the number of those killed while trying to obtain food to more than 75 in less than six days.

On Monday, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres called for an independent investigation into the repeated mass shootings of aid seekers in Gaza. He condemned the situation, stating, “It is unacceptable that Palestinians are risking their lives for food. I call for an immediate and independent investigation into these events and for perpetrators to be held accountable”.

The Israeli military has denied targeting civilians, claiming its soldiers fired “warning shots” at individuals who allegedly posed a threat.

According to Gaza's Health Ministry, three Palestinians were killed and at least 35 wounded when Israeli forces opened fire near an aid distribution site in Rafah operated by the US-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF).

The ministry reported that at least 75 Palestinians had been killed and more than 400 wounded while queuing for food since May 27 at aid distribution sites run by GHF.

Al Jazeera reported from Deir el-Balah in central Gaza that Israeli forces fired on civilians attempting to obtain food aid without any warning. International aid organizations have widely condemned this pattern, stating that it exacerbates the breakdown of civil order while failing to ensure humanitarian relief reaches those in desperate need.

Reports indicate that Israeli snipers and quadcopter drones routinely monitor aid sites run by GHF.

Monday’s killings occurred just hours after Israeli forces shot dead at least 35 Palestinians at two US-Israeli food distribution points in Rafah and central Gaza. Eyewitnesses and local officials stated that Israeli troops fired directly at civilians, aiming at their heads and chests.

On Sunday, Philippe Lazzarini, Commissioner General of the UN’s Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA), described the newly established aid distribution sites in Gaza as “death traps” for starving civilians.

Lazzarini further condemned the aid delivery model introduced by Israel and the US, stating, “This humiliating system has forced thousands of hungry and desperate people to walk for tens of miles to an area that’s all but pulverized due to heavy bombardment”.

He emphasized that aid distribution must be conducted at scale and in a safe manner, which can only be achieved through the United Nations, including UNRWA.

Munir al-Barsh, Director General of Gaza’s Health Ministry, condemned the international silence regarding the massacres committed against starving residents of Gaza. He warned that severe shortages of medical supplies are creating dire conditions in hospitals.

Al-Barsh also revealed that 3,000 trucks carrying essential medical supplies are currently stalled at the border. He accused Israel of deliberately spreading infectious diseases and epidemics through its blockade.

The humanitarian crisis in Gaza has worsened significantly since March 18, when Israel violated its ceasefire agreement with Hamas.

According to the UN-backed Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC), Gaza is experiencing phase 5 famine, with nearly 71,000 children under the age of five at risk of acute malnutrition.

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