A United Nations aid convoy delivering food to northern Gaza came under fire from Israeli forces on Sunday, resulting in multiple civilian casualties and highlighting the perilous conditions facing humanitarian workers in the conflict-ravaged enclave. The World Food Programme (WFP) reported the incident occurred shortly after a 25-truck convoy crossed into Gaza through the northern Zikim crossing, where large crowds had gathered to access desperately needed supplies.
In a post on X, the UN agency stated that Israeli tanks and snipers opened fire as the trucks approached, leading to “countless lives” lost and numerous critical injuries. “These people were simply trying to feed themselves and their families on the brink of starvation,” the WFP added, calling the violence “a terrible incident” that reflects the escalating risks for aid operations in Gaza.
Conflicting casualty figures emerged in the aftermath. Local health authorities reported 67 Palestinians killed, while the Palestinian news agency WAFA placed the death toll at 58, with at least 60 injured. WAFA later cited medical sources stating 132 people were killed across Gaza on Sunday, including 94 individuals seeking aid. The Israeli military acknowledged firing warning shots in response to what it described as “an imminent threat” but disputed the casualty counts, asserting that initial investigations did not align with the figures reported. Independent verification of the numbers remains pending.
The incident underscores the dire humanitarian crisis in Gaza, where nearly 2 million people rely almost entirely on aid after 22 months of conflict between Israel and Hamas. UN agencies and relief organizations have repeatedly warned of catastrophic conditions, with food scarcity, destroyed infrastructure, and widespread displacement crippling daily life. According to UN data, hundreds of civilians have died near aid distribution points or convoys since late May, raising urgent concerns about safe humanitarian access.
The WFP emphasized the growing dangers faced by aid workers and civilians attempting to access supplies, urging heightened protection for humanitarian operations. As investigations continue, the incident has drawn renewed attention to the lethal challenges of delivering aid in one of the world’s most volatile conflict zones, where survival increasingly hinges on international assistance amid ongoing violence.
