Rafah Tragedy: Israeli Shelling Near US-Backed Aid Centre Leaves Dozens Dead and Injured Amid Chaos in Gaza

In the early hours of Friday, a scene of humanitarian desperation in Rafah turned into a massacre as Israeli tanks reportedly opened fire on a crowd of thousands of Palestinians gathered near a US-supported aid distribution site.

According to eyewitness accounts, including harrowing testimony from local journalist Mohammed Ghareeb, the attack occurred around 04:30 local time (02:30 BST) at Al-Alam roundabout, a key location near an aid center operated by the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation in southern Gaza. Ghareeb, reporting directly from Rafah, told the BBC that the victims men, women, and children had assembled in the pre-dawn hours in the hope of securing life-sustaining supplies such as flour, clean water, and basic medical items.

“These were people who had nothing left,” Ghareeb said. “They came with the hope of receiving aid, not with the expectation of death.”

A morning of horror

What began as a desperate effort to access food and aid swiftly escalated into a scene of terror and carnage. Eyewitnesses report that Israeli tanks advanced toward the area and fired shells and heavy ammunition directly into the crowd. Chaos erupted as people fled in all directions, many tripping over debris or other injured individuals as they tried to escape the sudden assault.

“The dead and wounded lay on the ground for a long time,” Ghareeb recounted, his voice filled with anguish. “There was no immediate rescue. No ambulances could reach the scene. The area was under Israeli control, and anyone attempting to approach was at risk.”

In the absence of emergency vehicles, residents resorted to donkey carts and wheelbarrows to evacuate the injured, with many rushing the wounded to Nasser Hospital in nearby Khan Younis. Photographs from the scene show individuals with severe injuries, many too graphic to publish, being carried on makeshift stretchers as blood pooled along the roadside.

Humanitarian corridor becomes a kill zone

The aid center where the tragedy occurred is part of a newly established aid delivery mechanism backed by the United States, aimed at alleviating the rapidly worsening humanitarian crisis in Gaza. This latest incident raises serious questions about the safety and viability of such humanitarian corridors amid ongoing hostilities.

Though the precise number of casualties remains unclear, medical personnel on the ground have confirmed that dozens have been killed or injured, with many in critical condition. Footage circulating on social media and local outlets shows desperate family members searching for loved ones, some clutching torn pieces of clothing or holding photographs.

IDF yet to comment

As of the time of reporting, the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) have not issued an official statement regarding the shelling. Past incidents have seen similar delays in acknowledgment, often prompting international outcry and calls for independent investigations.

Political undercurrents: Ceasefire hopes fade

The tragedy comes at a critical juncture in the conflict. Just hours before the shelling, Hamas had formally responded to a new ceasefire proposal put forward by the United States. According to a senior Hamas official, the group’s reply was “positive and responsible,” signaling potential momentum toward halting hostilities.

However, US envoy Steve Witkoff sharply dismissed the Hamas response, calling it “totally unacceptable,” thereby dampening any short-term hopes for peace.

This divergence between diplomatic initiatives and military escalation underscores the complex and volatile nature of the ongoing conflict. While ceasefire negotiations unfold in international capitals, the situation on the ground remains dire with civilians bearing the brunt of the violence.

Gaza’s healthcare system struggles

Hospitals across southern Gaza are now overwhelmed, with emergency rooms filled beyond capacity. The Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis, which has received many of the injured from the Rafah incident, is reportedly operating on emergency power and facing acute shortages of critical supplies such as blood bags, antibiotics, and surgical equipment.

Doctors Without Borders and other NGOs have condemned the attack, warning that the targeting of humanitarian zones further erodes the already fragile aid infrastructure in Gaza.

International reactions

International response is expected in the coming hours, particularly from the United Nations, European Union, and Arab League, all of whom have previously condemned similar attacks on civilians and aid operations. Human rights groups are urging independent investigations and demanding accountability for what they describe as a potential war crime.

As the world watches, the question remains: how many more civilians must die before meaningful steps are taken toward peace and accountability?