The Israeli military on Tuesday opened fire on Palestinians while they were trying to reach an aid distribution site in southern Gaza, for the third time in three days.
Meanwhile, the UN has called for an independent investigation into the targeting of Palestinians near the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF) aid distribution site in Gaza’s southern city of Rafah.
Killing Aid Seekers
On early Tuesday, June 3, 2025, the Israeli military killed at least 27 people, including two women and three children, and injured others while they were heading to the GHF’s aid distribution site, the Associated Press (AP) reported citing the head of Gaza’s Health Ministry’s records department, Zaher al-Waheidi. This marked the third incident in three days.
According to the AP, all the shooting incidents took place at the Flag Roundabout, located one kilometer away from one of the GHF’s distribution sites in the southern city of Rafah, an area that has been turned into an Israeli military zone.
Israeli Denial
The Israeli military said that its troops opened fire at several suspects who did not adhere to the designated access routes, according to CNN. It said that its forces do not prevent Gazan civilians from reaching the humanitarian aid distribution sites.
“The troops carried out warning fire, and after the suspects failed to retreat, additional shots were directed near a few individual suspects who advanced toward the troops,” the Israeli military said in a statement, adding it was looking into reports of casualties.
Multiple Incidents
The Tuesday shooting occurred near the same location where previous shooting incidents took place over the past two days. On Monday morning, Israeli troops killed three Palestinians and injured dozens while they were on their way to the GHF aid distribution site in Rafah, according to Palestinian and hospital officials.
Similarly, the Israeli military shot dead dozens of Palestinians in the same area on Sunday, according to Palestinian officials and eyewitnesses. The Palestinian officials said that the incident claimed the lives of 31 people and wounded dozens. However, the Israeli military denied firing “within or near” the aid distribution site.
GHF Response
On its part, the GHF denied any violence in or around its site. In a statement, it said that aid distribution occurred “safely and without incident.” It added that the Israeli military was investigating whether civilians were injured “after moving beyond the designated safe corridor and into a closed military zone.”
“This was an area well beyond our secure distribution site and operations area. We recognize the difficult nature of the situation and advise all civilians to remain in the safe corridor when traveling to our distribution sites,” the statement noted.
Aid Delivery Mechanism
The GHF is an Israeli and US-backed organization which operates a new aid distribution mechanism. It involves establishing a number of distribution hubs in southern and central Gaza, where Palestinian civilians will head once a week to receive one aid package per family. The GHF cooperates with private American contractors to secure aid trucks until their arrival at the distribution sites.
However, the GHF has faced mounting criticism from the UN and other humanitarian organizations, which refused to work with the organization amid fears that its distribution model will force the displacement of Palestinians. Moreover, the GHF head resigned, citing concerns over “humanitarian principles,” including neutrality and independence.
UN Calls for Investigation
After the Sunday shooting incident, the UN called for an independent investigation. The UN Secretary-General, António Guterres, expressed concern over the reports of shooting Gazan civilians seeking aid.
“I am appalled by the reports of Palestinians killed and injured while seeking aid in Gaza yesterday,” he said in a statement on Monday. “I call for an immediate and independent investigation into these events and for perpetrators to be held accountable,” the UN head said.
Dehumanization of Gazans
On the same day, the UN human rights chief, Volker Türk, sharply criticized the current aid delivery mechanism as “unacceptable” and “dehumanizing.” In an interview with the BBC, he said: “It’s heartbreaking. I cannot believe that humanitarian aid is delivered in such circumstances. It’s unacceptable, it’s dehumanizing and I really hope there is a rethinking of the whole absolute need to get humanitarian aid in quickly and not through the current system.”
“I think what it shows is utter disregard for civilians. Can you imagine people that have been absolutely desperate for food, for medicine, for almost three months and then they have to run for it or try to get it in the most desperate circumstances? It does show a huge dehumanization of the people who are desperately in need,’ he noted.
