Northern Gaza bears brunt as witnesses allege Israeli forces fired on crowd near Zikim crossing
A desperate attempt to secure humanitarian aid turned into a deadly stampede across Gaza on Sunday, leaving at least 73 Palestinians dead and more than 150 injured, many critically. The worst of the violence occurred in northern Gaza, where 67 people were reportedly killed near the Zikim crossing, according to Palestinian health officials and local hospitals.
What began as another chaotic day in the besieged territory quickly spiraled into carnage. Eyewitnesses allege that Israeli troops opened fire on a crowd of civilians attempting to access an aid convoy coordinated by the Gaza Humanitarian Fund (GHF). The Israeli military has not confirmed firing on the civilians, and conflicting reports suggest that some casualties may have resulted from armed gangs or mass panic.
A Humanitarian Line Crossed
The Zikim area, already a flashpoint in previous incidents, has seen growing desperation among residents as food, water, and medical supplies dwindle across the enclave. Video clips shared by local journalists show hundreds of people surging toward aid trucks before shots rang out and the crowd collapsed into screams and stampedes.
“We were just trying to get flour and baby formula,” said 34-year-old Samir al-Khalidi, speaking from Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital in Deir al-Balah with shrapnel wounds to his leg. “Then we heard gunfire, and people started falling. It was like a slaughter.”
The Gaza Health Ministry described the incident as “a war crime,” while several aid groups have condemned what they called a breakdown of humanitarian protocols.
UN and Aid Groups in Panic
The United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) demanded urgent clarification from Israel after evacuation orders issued Sunday covered swaths of central Gaza, including regions where major UN facilities are located.
“If our shelters in southwestern Deir al-Balah are now part of a military zone, this puts thousands of displaced people at even greater risk,” said an unnamed UN official speaking to the Associated Press.
Meanwhile, the Israeli military confirmed new evacuation warnings, claiming it was targeting Hamas militants hiding among civilians. Military spokesperson Avichay Adraee urged Palestinians to move toward Al-Muwasi, a coastal strip designated by Israel as a “humanitarian zone” but derided by NGOs as overcrowded and unsanitary.
Tensions High as Ceasefire Talks Continue
The violence unfolded amid fragile ceasefire negotiations in Qatar between Israel and Hamas. No agreement has been reached. The Israeli army recently announced it has taken control of over 65% of Gaza’s territory, marking its deepest incursion into the enclave since the October 2023 war.
The evacuation corridor now effectively cuts off movement between Deir al-Balah, once a central hub, and the southern cities of Rafah and Khan Younis, home to hundreds of thousands of displaced families.
For humanitarian agencies, the consequences are devastating.
Table: Gaza Aid Incident – Summary of Casualties
| Region | Fatalities | Injured (Critical) | Cause (Witness Reports) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Northern Gaza | 67 | ~100 | Israeli gunfire & chaos |
| Central Gaza | 6 | ~50 | Stampede, unclear crossfire |
| Total (Gaza Strip) | 73 | 150+ | Unconfirmed; multiple causes |
The View from Tel Aviv
While Israel has not confirmed the military’s involvement in Sunday’s deaths, officials doubled down on warnings that aid convoys are being used as shields by Hamas.
A senior Israeli security source speaking to Haaretz claimed there was “credible intelligence” suggesting militants were embedded in the crowd near Zikim, possibly justifying the army’s response.
The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) have been operating under what they call a “precision engagement doctrine” since May, which they argue reduces civilian casualties. Sunday’s events may now cast doubt on that claim in international eyes.
