At Least 22 Killed, 120 Injured by Israeli Fire Near US-Backed Gaza Aid Hub

At least 22 people were killed and more than 120 others were injured on Sunday when Israeli fire struck near an aid distribution center in the southern Gaza city of Rafah, according to Gaza’s civil defense agency. The attack took place close to a U.S.-supported aid hub, which had been operating to provide humanitarian assistance to displaced civilians in the area.

The civil defense agency updated the casualty figures late Sunday, noting that children were among the wounded. The spokesperson stated that the number of fatalities from what was described as a massacre had risen following additional reports from emergency responders working in the area.

The attack occurred amid renewed military activity in Rafah, a city that has become a central point for both humanitarian aid efforts and military operations. Thousands of civilians, many of whom had already been displaced multiple times, had gathered near the aid distribution point seeking food and basic supplies. The site targeted was reportedly part of an initiative backed by the United States, intended to offer an alternative channel for humanitarian delivery amid ongoing restrictions and logistical challenges facing traditional aid agencies.

Medical teams operating in southern Gaza reported a surge in emergency admissions following the incident, with hospitals and field clinics receiving dozens of casualties in a short period. Some facilities were reportedly operating at or beyond capacity, as medical staff struggled to treat severe injuries under strained conditions.

This event adds to a growing number of fatal incidents involving civilians near aid locations in the region. Similar episodes in recent weeks have led to increasing concern over the safety of distribution points and the escalating difficulty in securing humanitarian corridors for Gaza’s population.

The broader conflict has led to tens of thousands of deaths and injuries in Gaza since the latest phase of hostilities intensified. Humanitarian agencies have warned of a deepening crisis, with basic supplies such as food, clean water, and medicine running dangerously low. Ceasefire negotiations remain at an impasse, and international appeals for restraint and the protection of civilians have so far failed to prevent further escalations.