Jerusalem, August 3, 2025 — At least 27 Palestinians were killed by Israeli forces on Sunday while trying to collect food at a distribution site in southern Gaza, Palestinian officials said. An additional six people died from starvation or malnutrition the same day, highlighting the territory’s deepening humanitarian crisis.
The victims were seeking aid from the US-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF). Witnesses described the gunfire as indiscriminate. Since May 27, more than 1,400 people have reportedly been killed while trying to access aid, according to the UN.
GHF claims it uses only non-lethal crowd control methods, such as pepper spray and warning shots. But in the past 24 hours alone, 119 Palestinians were killed in Israeli attacks, including at a school sheltering displaced civilians and the Palestinian Red Crescent’s office in Khan Younis.
Deaths from hunger have now reached 175, over half of them children. Humanitarian organizations stress the urgent need for unrestricted, large-scale aid deliveries. “We need sustained aid to flow into Gaza to prevent more deaths,” said Red Cross spokesperson Hisham Mhanna.
The war has claimed over 60,800 lives in Gaza since Israel launched its military operation in response to the October 7, 2023 Hamas-led attack that killed about 1,200 Israelis.
Meanwhile, far-right Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir sparked outrage by praying at the al-Aqsa mosque compound—violating longstanding agreements that prohibit non-Muslim prayer at the site. Jordan condemned the act as a “provocation.”
During the visit, Ben-Gvir also called for Gaza’s annexation and the expulsion of Palestinians, coinciding with the Jewish day of mourning, Tisha B’Av. Prime Minister Netanyahu, however, insisted the status quo of the site remains unchanged.
Protests also erupted across the occupied West Bank, demanding an end to the war and the release of Palestinian detainees. Rights groups have documented widespread abuse of Palestinian prisoners.
Separately, new videos of visibly starved Israeli hostages held by Hamas intensified public anger in Israel. Netanyahu urged the Red Cross to deliver aid to the hostages. Hamas said it would allow such access only if Israel suspends all air activity during deliveries.
