At Least 73 Palestinians Killed Since Dawn, Including 33 Aid Seekers

Gaza City – At least 73 Palestinians have been killed since dawn, including 33 people who were seeking humanitarian aid, according to medical sources speaking to Al Jazeera. The victims were gunned down near the controversial Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF) aid distribution points, which are jointly backed by Israel and the United States.

Eyewitnesses described scenes of “unprovoked gunfire” and “sheer horror” as Israeli forces allegedly opened fire on large crowds of civilians gathered for much-needed food and supplies. Many of the dead were women and children.

Gaza Government: Over 300 Killed in 48 Hours

The Gaza Government Media Office reported on Wednesday that more than 300 Palestinians have been killed in the past 48 hours alone. The office accused Israeli forces of carrying out “26 bloody massacres” in that time frame, calling the attacks part of a systematic campaign of collective punishment against Gaza’s besieged population.

“This is no longer war; it’s a slaughter,” the media office said in a statement. “Families are being wiped out in minutes. Humanitarian zones have become execution grounds.”

Unprovoked Violence at Controversial GHF Aid Sites

The GHF aid sites were meant to serve as safe zones where civilians could receive food, water, and medical supplies amidst the ongoing humanitarian crisis. However, many Palestinians have expressed deep mistrust of the GHF, citing past incidents of violence and accusing Israel of using the sites for military surveillance and control.

Witnesses said that as crowds gathered in the early morning hours, Israeli forces suddenly opened fire without warning. “There was no warning, no provocation,” said Mahmoud Abu Saleh, a 29-year-old survivor. “One moment people were waiting quietly for aid, and the next, there were screams, bullets, and bodies falling.”

International Silence and Mounting Outrage

Despite the mounting death toll and scenes of carnage, there has been little immediate reaction from Western governments. Human rights groups have condemned the attacks and called for an urgent investigation, but Israeli officials have denied targeting civilians, claiming operations were aimed at “terrorist threats hiding within crowds.”

The United Nations and several international NGOs have renewed calls for a ceasefire and the establishment of truly neutral humanitarian corridors. “This is a blatant violation of international humanitarian law,” said Dr. Hanan Salim of Médecins Sans Frontières. “Humanitarian zones cannot be militarized killing fields.”

Calls for Accountability Amid Deepening Crisis

As Gaza’s health system teeters on collapse and food shortages become more severe, calls for accountability are growing louder. Activists and legal experts are urging the International Criminal Court (ICC) to expedite its ongoing investigation into alleged war crimes in the occupied Palestinian territories.

“We are witnessing crimes against humanity in real-time,” said Noura Erakat, a Palestinian-American human rights attorney. “Every massacre adds urgency to the need for justice and international intervention.”

Conclusion

As Gaza reels from one of the bloodiest 48-hour periods in recent memory, its people continue to suffer under relentless bombardment, displacement, and starvation. The deaths of dozens of civilians—many killed while simply seeking food—underscore the devastating human toll of a conflict with no end in sight. The world watches, but for many in Gaza, the silence speaks louder than the bombs.