Asger Risom
Footage from Khan Younis shows bodies on the street after tanks fired at Palestinians waiting for food—one of the deadliest episodes in the war so far.
In Gaza, even the search for aid has become perilous. On Monday, a crowd gathered near a stranded aid truck in Khan Younis, hoping to secure food. Moments later, Israeli tank shells struck, killing 51 people and wounding over 200 more, according to local medics.
Video shared on social media showed around a dozen mangled bodies lying in a street in Khan Younis in the southern Gaza Strip.
The Israeli military acknowledged firing in the area and said it was looking into the incident.
Deadly strike during aid rush
As reported by Reuters, eyewitnesses said Israeli tanks fired two shells into the crowd that had gathered on the eastern road through Khan Younis. Many were there in hopes of getting flour and other supplies from trucks that had become lifelines amid ongoing shortages.
“They let us move forward and made everyone gather, then shells started falling,” a witness named Alaa told reporters at Nasser Hospital. “People are dying just to feed their children.”
A video showing the aftermath in a hospital can be found here.
Tank fire confirmed, but conflicting reports persist
The Israeli military confirmed it had fired in the area and said the incident is under investigation. In a statement, the IDF acknowledged firing tank shells near the aid site but emphasized it was reviewing the details.
Other reports—including from Palestinian sources—have attributed the blast to an airstrike, though the IDF’s own statement confirms the use of tanks. It remains unclear whether both forms of attack may have been involved.
Aid routes under fire
Since partially lifting its blockade, Israel has directed most humanitarian deliveries through the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, a system rejected by the UN for lacking neutrality. Israel claims it prevents Hamas from seizing supplies; Gaza officials claim it’s killing those who approach.
Monday’s incident follows others like it—most notably in Rafah, where 23 more were killed under similar conditions just a day earlier.
Gaza watches another war unfold
With nearly 55,000 Palestinians killed and 2.3 million displaced since October 2023, residents now also watch war unfold between Israel and Iran. Some say it’s the first time they’ve seen Israelis experience even a fraction of their own fear.
“We live this pain every day,” said one local. “We are happy to see Tel Aviv under rubble, just like we are.”
