MSF condemns ‘deliberate' Israeli aid restrictions amid deadly shooting at Gaza food site
Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) has issued a stark condemnation of Israel's restrictions on aid to Gaza, labelling them as deliberate and inhumane, in the wake of another mass killing near an aid distribution site in Khan Younis.
The incident, which killed over 51 Palestinians and injured more than 200 others, has intensified criticism over the handling of humanitarian operations in the besieged enclave.
According to the Hamas-run civil defence agency, Israeli forces opened fire on a crowd gathering near a World Food Programme site to the east of Khan Younis.
Witnesses reported that Israeli drones fired two missiles, followed by tank shells from a position approximately 400 to 500 metres away. Many victims were taken to Nasser Hospital, which has been overwhelmed by the influx.
MSF has highlighted a dire pattern of escalating violence and dwindling aid access. In a statement released on 19 June, 2025, the organisation accused Israeli authorities of enforcing policies that keep medical, fuel, and food supplies at a dangerously minimal level, despite claiming to allow humanitarian corridors.
Aitor Zabalgogeazkoa, MSF's emergency coordinator in Gaza, said, 'The charade of only allowing medical and fuel supplies at the very last-minute ahead of a looming disaster is nothing but a band aid on a gushing wound. The weaponisation of aid must end.'
MSF field hospitals, particularly in Deir Al-Balah, have seen a 190% increase in gunshot wound cases within a week. Clinics in Khan Younis and Deir Al-Balah recorded their highest patient intake to date. These conditions are exacerbated by a lack of gauze, medications, therapeutic food for malnourished children, and essential equipment powered by fuel.
Amy Low, MSF's medical team leader in Gaza City, stressed that neonatal care is being compromised due to power outages. At Al-Helou Maternity Hospital, oxygen and ventilators critical to newborns' survival are frequently shut down due to electricity cuts.
MSF also noted that access to clean water has sharply decreased, as fuel shortages cripple desalination plants. Ambulances and other vital transport systems are also impacted, restricting the movement of critically injured individuals.
The latest attack near the food distribution point is just one of several incidents in recent weeks where aid seekers have been met with violence. The World Health Organization confirmed the mass casualty incident, and noted a disturbing correlation between food distribution locations and gunshot injuries.
The Israeli military stated it was reviewing the incident and acknowledged a crowd had gathered near troops operating in the area. The Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, which manages the food sites, distanced itself from the shootings, emphasising that they occurred away from their direct operations.
However, critics argue that the design of the new aid system, seen by some as an Israeli attempt to bypass the UN and control aid flows, has contributed to chaos and deadly desperation. Verified footage and eyewitness reports from multiple incidents suggest a repeated pattern of Israeli forces firing on civilians attempting to access aid.
UN human rights chief Volker Turk accused Israel of weaponising food and called for a full investigation into the shootings. Philippe Lazzarini of UNRWA reiterated that Gaza's tragedies continue unabated amid dwindling global attention.
The broader backdrop remains Israel's ongoing military campaign, reignited on 18 March 2025 after a ceasefire broke down. According to Gaza's Health Ministry, 55,959 Palestinians have been killed since October 2023. The most recent offensive has resulted in 5,647 deaths and 19,201 injuries in just three months.
MSF asserts that the consistent denial of adequate aid and the systematic targeting of infrastructure are indicative of a broader strategy.
'MSF teams are witnessing patterns consistent with genocide in Gaza,' the organisation declared, citing mass killings and the dismantling of conditions essential for Palestinian life.
As violence and restrictions continue, the situation in Gaza grows increasingly unsustainable, with humanitarian agencies warning of total collapse without immediate and consistent international intervention.
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