Gaza Rescuers Report 36 Killed by Israeli Fire, Including Six Near Aid Center

Israeli forces opened fire near an aid distribution area in southern Gaza early Saturday, resulting in at least 36 Palestinian fatalities, according to Gaza’s civil defense agency. Among the dead were six individuals reportedly shot near a humanitarian center supported by U.S. funding.

The Israeli military confirmed its involvement, stating that troops discharged warning shots towards individuals it claimed were advancing in a way that posed a threat. The incident took place near the Al-Alam roundabout in Rafah, where large numbers of people had assembled to access emergency supplies. Eyewitness accounts suggested that armored vehicles stationed nearby initially fired into the air before targeting civilians.

This shooting follows earlier fatalities near the same aid hub, operated by the Gaza Humanitarian Fund (GHF). The center had only recently resumed operations after pausing earlier in the week due to similar violence. GHF reported that it refrained from distributing aid on Saturday, citing explicit threats from Hamas that endangered its personnel.

Israeli Strikes Continue Amid Broader Military Campaign

Later in the day, Israeli forces reported conducting a targeted strike in Gaza City that resulted in the death of Asaad Abu Sharia, alleged to be the commander of the Mujahideen Brigades. The group maintains ties with Islamic Jihad, a faction allied with Hamas. Military officials claim Abu Sharia was involved in the October 7, 2023 assault on Kibbutz Nir Oz, during which over 1,200 people were killed and hundreds taken hostage. According to Israeli sources, he played a direct role in the deaths of several hostages, including members of the Bibas family, whose plight has drawn national attention.

The military simultaneously issued evacuation directives for several districts in northern Gaza, stating those areas were being used to launch rocket attacks. The escalation comes as Israel intensifies its military campaign, describing the effort as a renewed operation to dismantle Hamas’s remaining capabilities.

Activist-Led Aid Ship Challenges Naval Blockade

In parallel with the events on the ground, an international activist boat named Madleen sailed towards Gaza from the Egyptian coast. The vessel carries 12 passengers, including Swedish environmental advocate Greta Thunberg, and aims to deliver humanitarian supplies to the besieged enclave. Organizers say they hope the journey will draw global attention to the humanitarian crisis unfolding in Gaza.

This mission is reminiscent of past efforts to challenge Israel’s naval blockade, including the 2010 Mavi Marmara flotilla, which ended in bloodshed when Israeli commandos boarded the ship, killing 10 civilians. Despite easing certain aid restrictions in recent weeks, Israel continues to enforce the blockade, which was in place even before the current conflict erupted in October 2023.

Civilian Toll Mounts as Crisis Deepens

According to the Hamas-run health ministry, the cumulative death toll in Gaza has surpassed 54,700, most of them civilians. The United Nations has assessed these figures as credible and has previously warned that Gaza’s entire population is at imminent risk of famine.

The conflict originated from a surprise attack launched by Hamas on October 7, 2023. That assault resulted in over 1,200 deaths in Israel and the abduction of 251 individuals. Israel says 55 hostages remain in captivity, including 31 believed to be dead.

On Saturday, Hamas released a photograph of one remaining hostage, Matan Zangauker, who appeared visibly unwell. His mother, speaking at a protest in Tel Aviv, criticized Israeli leadership, expressing despair over the ongoing hostage situation and the government’s handling of the crisis.