Israeli forces shot and killed 93 Palestinians on Sunday as they tried to collect humanitarian aid in Gaza. Gaza’s civil defence agency confirmed the deaths and said dozens more were injured.

Deadly Gunfire as Aid Arrived

Firstly, in northern Gaza, Israeli troops killed 80 people when aid trucks arrived. Meanwhile, in southern Gaza, Israeli fire killed nine people near Rafah and four more near Khan Yunis, according to agency spokesman Mahmud Basal.

At the same time, a UN World Food Programme (WFP) convoy also came under gunfire near Gaza City. The convoy of 25 aid trucks had just crossed from Israel when large crowds surrounded it. Soon after, the crowd faced gunfire.

Israel Rejects Death Toll Claims

However, the Israeli army denied the reported death toll. It claimed soldiers fired only “warning shots” to control what they described as an “immediate threat.”

Nevertheless, deadly incidents like this are becoming common. The United Nations earlier reported that nearly 800 Palestinians searching for aid had been killed since May. Still, people continue to gather in large numbers at aid distribution points.

Survivors Describe Horror

Meanwhile, survivors shared their fear and desperation. In Gaza City, Qasem Abu Khater said he rushed to collect flour but found chaos instead. “The tanks were firing shells randomly at us and Israeli sniper soldiers were shooting as if they were hunting animals in a forest,” he said. “Dozens of people were martyred right before my eyes and no one could save anyone.”

As a result, the WFP condemned the violence as “completely unacceptable.” Due to media restrictions in Gaza, journalists could not independently verify the reported death toll.

Israeli Army Issues New Orders

Following repeated deadly incidents, the Israeli military said it had issued new guidelines to its soldiers earlier this month. It claimed its forces try to avoid harming civilians.

At the same time, Israel withdrew the residency permit of Jonathan Whittall, head of the UN humanitarian office (OCHA) in Israel. Israeli officials accused him of spreading false claims about the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.

Pope and Church Leaders Condemn Violence

Separately, after an Israeli strike killed three civilians at Gaza’s Holy Family Church, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu apologized to Pope Leo XIV. He said a “stray” munition caused the deaths.

Soon after, during Sunday prayers, the pope condemned the “barbarity” of the war and called for peace. He criticised attacks on civilians and churches. In addition, the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, Pierbattista Pizzaballa, visited Gaza and led mass at the damaged church.

New Evacuation Orders Displace More Civilians

On Sunday morning, Israel ordered families in Deir el-Balah to evacuate immediately. As a result, families fled south on donkey carts, carrying their belongings. “They threw leaflets at us and we don’t know where we are going and we don’t have shelter or anything,” said one man.

According to the UN OCHA, this latest evacuation order worsened Gaza’s crisis. Now, over 87% of Gaza is under evacuation orders or in Israeli militarized zones. Consequently, nearly two million people are squeezed into just 12% of the Gaza Strip, where essential services have collapsed.

Families Fear for Hostages Amid Offensive

Meanwhile, Israeli families fear that the ongoing military attacks could harm the remaining hostages in Gaza. Hamas captured 251 hostages during its October 7, 2023 attack. Israel said 49 remain captive, including 27 believed dead.

Currently, indirect talks between Israel and Hamas continue over a proposed 60-day ceasefire and the release of 10 living hostages.