On June 17, on the main road of Khan Younis in Gaza, an Israeli tank fired a shell into a crowd of civilians waiting to receive aid. Local medical sources confirmed that at least 59 people were killed and 221 injured, with at least 20 in critical condition.
Viral footage on social media shows several motionless bodies scattered across the road. An eyewitness named Ala described, “Suddenly they opened fire when everyone had gathered in one spot”—afterwards, survivors were rushed to hospitals in civil vehicles, rickshaws, and donkey carts.
1. Israeli Military Response
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) acknowledged the incident, stating that when an aid truck became stranded, their soldiers in the vicinity opened live fire to maintain security. They added that a thorough review of the circumstances is under way and expressed regret for civilian casualties.
2. Context and Statistics
• Risk in Aid Collection: That day, 73 people died across Gaza while collecting aid (59 in Khan Younis and 14 in other areas).
• Total Casualties: Since late May, collecting food assistance has led to approximately 397 deaths and over 3,000 injuries across Gaza.
3. Controversy Over Aid Distribution
Although the new Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF) claims to have distributed meals to over three million people at four secure sites, Tuesday’s incident occurred near a World Food Programme (WFP) distribution center—highlighting clear security gaps.
4. Overall Conflict Situation
The Hamas–Israel conflict has been ongoing since October 2023. Hamas’s initial attack resulted in 1,200 deaths and 251 hostages, and subsequent Israeli operations in Gaza have killed around 55,000 Palestinians.