An exchange of gunfire broke out Tuesday near an aid distribution center in Rafah, Gaza, resulting in at least six fatalities and nearly 100 injuries, according to local health officials.
The shooting occurred in a densely populated zone where humanitarian supplies were being distributed. Witnesses described a sudden eruption of gunfire involving Israeli troops and Palestinian militants. Multiple sources on the ground suggested that the militants involved were not affiliated with Hamas and may have been in communication with Israeli forces operating in the area.
The incident comes just days after the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) acknowledged a limited form of cooperation with certain Palestinian armed groups in Gaza that oppose Hamas. The stated goal, according to IDF representatives, is to enable safer distribution of aid and reduce interference from hostile factions.
The Gaza Health Ministry, run by Hamas, reported six deaths and 99 injuries, noting that the casualty figures include both civilians and armed individuals. Medical teams on-site are reportedly overwhelmed, with emergency services scrambling to cope with the surge in patients.
Tuesday’s clash marks the latest in a string of violent disruptions near aid convoys and distribution zones. Since humanitarian operations resumed last month under a fragile truce, more than 120 people have died in aid-related incidents, according to Palestinian health authorities.
International humanitarian groups have renewed calls for all sides to ensure the safety of aid workers and civilians. “Protecting humanitarian corridors is not optional — it’s a legal and moral obligation,” said a spokesperson from the International Committee of the Red Cross.
Efforts to maintain humanitarian access in Gaza remain precarious, as political negotiations and on-the-ground realities frequently collide. For now, residents in Rafah and beyond continue to navigate daily danger in pursuit of basic necessities.
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