At least 41 Palestinians were killed across the Gaza Strip on Sunday due to Israeli fire and airstrikes, according to local health authorities. Several of these fatalities, at least five, occurred near two aid sites operated by the U.S.-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF). Medics at Al-Awda Hospital in central Gaza reported that three individuals were killed and dozens wounded by Israeli fire as they attempted to approach a GHF site near the Netzarim corridor. Additionally, two other people lost their lives en route to another aid distribution location in Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip. Further violence included an airstrike in Beit Lahiya town in the north, which killed seven people, and another Israeli airstrike in Nuseirat camp in central Gaza, which claimed the lives of at least 11 people in a house. The remaining casualties were reported from separate airstrikes in the southern Gaza Strip, with no immediate comment from the Israeli military.

The Gaza Humanitarian Foundation commenced its food distribution efforts in Gaza at the end of May, following Israel's partial lifting of a nearly three-month total blockade. Prior to this, scores of Palestinians had reportedly been killed in almost daily mass shootings while attempting to access food. The United Nations has voiced strong objections to the new Israeli-backed distribution system, deeming it inadequate, dangerous, and a clear violation of humanitarian impartiality principles.

Later on Sunday, COGAT, the Israeli military aid coordination agency, announced that it had facilitated the entry of 292 trucks carrying humanitarian aid, including food and flour, into Gaza from the United Nations and the international community during the week. COGAT reiterated that the Israeli military would continue to permit humanitarian aid into the enclave, while simultaneously working to ensure that the assistance did not reach Hamas. In response, Hamas has denied Israeli accusations of aid theft and has accused Israel of leveraging hunger as a weapon against the Gaza population.

The Gaza health ministry issued a statement on Saturday, reporting that at least 300 people have been killed and over 2,600 wounded near aid distribution sites since the GHF began its operations in Gaza. Munir Al-Bursh, Director-General of the health ministry, critically remarked that "These are not humanitarian aid, these are traps for the poor and the hungry under the watch of occupation planes." He further expressed on X on Sunday that "Aid distributed under fire isn't aid, it is humiliation."

This surge in casualties and humanitarian concerns unfolds within the broader context of the Gaza war, which erupted 20 months ago. The conflict was initiated by Hamas-led militants who raided Israel on October 7, 2023, resulting in 1,200 deaths, mostly civilians, and the capture of 251 hostages—Israel's single deadliest day. Since then, Israel's military campaign has led to the deaths of nearly 55,000 Palestinians, predominantly civilians, according to Gaza health authorities. The densely populated strip, home to over two million people, has been largely flattened, with most of its population displaced and widespread malnutrition.