Israeli Forces Fire on Gazans Seeking Food Aid, Killing Over 30

Israeli forces opened fire on Palestinians seeking food aid in Gaza, resulting in at least 32 deaths, according to the Palestinian health ministry and eyewitnesses. The incident occurred near aid distribution centers operated by the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), a U.S.- and Israeli-backed organization.

The Israeli military stated that troops identified individuals approaching them during operational activity in the Rafah area, approximately one kilometer from the aid site, at night when it was not active. The military reported firing warning shots and is investigating reports of casualties.

GHF denied any incidents at or near its distribution sites on the day in question, stating that the reported Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) activity resulting in fatalities occurred hours before their sites opened and that most casualties occurred several kilometers away from the nearest GHF site. The organization emphasized that it has repeatedly warned aid seekers not to travel to its sites overnight or in early morning hours.

However, many Gazans have reported that they must travel to distribution points several hours before they open to have a chance of receiving aid, as food in the strip is scarce and people are starving, according to multiple UN assessments.

A doctor at Nasser Hospital, Travis Melin, noted that many of the victims had severe gunshot wounds to the torso and head.

The United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights reported that hundreds of people have been killed while trying to access aid in Gaza since GHF began operating in the Strip in May, with nearly 800 people killed between late May and July 7, 615 of whom were killed near GHF sites.

The director of communications for UNRWA, the United Nations agency that provides relief to Palestinian refugees, described the current aid distribution system in Gaza as a "death trap for starving Palestinians" and called for the organization to again be allowed to lead aid efforts.

Meanwhile, U.S. President Donald Trump expressed optimism regarding ongoing ceasefire talks between Israel and Hamas, stating that most hostages have been recovered and that efforts are underway to secure the release of additional individuals.

Despite this outlook, both parties have accused each other of hindering negotiations. Hamas warned that it "cannot guarantee" agreement to future pauses in the conflict if Israel does not commit to ending the war in the current round of talks.

An Israeli official indicated that a key sticking point is Hamas' refusal to discuss the criteria and ratio for prisoner exchanges until there is a finalized agreement on Israeli troop positions. The official accused Hamas of "foot-dragging" in the negotiations.