Gaza’s aid lifeline turns deadly as Israeli forces fire on starving civilians

Gaza’s humanitarian crisis has worsened under Israel’s total blockade since March, with only five of 30 scheduled aid trucks entering via the Zikim crossing on Tuesday. Desperate Palestinians rushing for flour faced lethal Israeli gunfire, leaving 26 dead and 120 critically injured—many shot in the neck, chest, or kneecaps with bone-shattering explosive bullets. The area near Beit Lahiya has become a deadly “distribution centre”, where aid convoys now routinely draw sniper fire, tanks, and drone attacks. Shifa Hospital received casualties with distinctive wounds, adding to Gaza’s growing population of amputees, while clinics struggled with overwhelming shrapnel injuries. Eyewitnesses described scenes of chaos as malnourished civilians risked their lives for food, with many bodies remaining uncollected due to ongoing shootings. Medical reports confirm systematic targeting of vital areas, reflecting a pattern of deliberate violence against starving aid-seekers. This follows weeks of similar massacres at aid points, where hunger has forced civilians into what locals now call “death traps”. The blockade has turned basic sustenance into a lethal gamble, with flour sacks worth dying for amid Israel’s near-total restrictions. Al Jazeera’s Hani Mahmoud reports from Gaza City. Subscribe to our channel: http://bit.ly/AJSubscribe Follow us on X: https://twitter.com/AJEnglish Find us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/aljazeera Check our website: http://www.aljazeera.com/ Check out our Instagram page: https://www.instagram.com/aljazeeraenglish/ Download AJE Mobile App: https://aje.io/AJEMobile #Palestine #Gaza #GazaAidCrisis #GazaHungerCrisis #GazaUnderAttack #Israel #GazaWar #IsraelGazaWar #GazaGenocide #GazaHealthCrisis #GazaSiege #GazaStarvation #GazaFamine #GazaHumanitarianCrisis #ZikimCrossing #GazaAidDistributionKillings #AlJazeeraEnglish