'Massacre of civilians': 27 killed and over 160 injured in aid distribution attack as Gaza’s health system teeters on collapse

A deadly Israeli strike on Palestinians awaiting humanitarian aid in the Al-Alam distribution zone in Rafah Governorate has left at least 27 people dead and over 161 wounded, many critically, the Palestinian Ministry of Health in Gaza said in a statement released on Tuesday.

Initial reports indicated that there were 24 fatalities and dozens of injuries, but the number rose as more victims arrived at overwhelmed and heavily under-resourced hospitals.

The Ministry described the attack as a "massacre of citizens waiting for aid” and stated that many of the injured remain in critical condition.

The strike came amid escalating attacks and ongoing evacuations ordered by the Israeli military. These attacks are directly impacting Gaza’s few remaining health facilities.

Of particular concern is the Nasser Medical Complex in Khan Yunis, which is the last operational hospital in southern Gaza that provides specialised services.

“Dozens of patients and wounded in intensive care, operating rooms, emergency units, and neonatal wards face certain death if the complex goes out of service,” warned the Health Ministry.

Health System on the Brink

Gaza’s medical infrastructure is nearing total collapse. According to the Ministry, operating rooms, ICUs, and ERs are overwhelmed by the influx of casualties.

Additionally, there is a severe shortage of life-saving medicines, surgical supplies, and diagnostic equipment.

Generators are running on minimal fuel, risking total blackouts in critical care areas.

Starvation and Malnutrition 

As the health system is on the brink of collapse and attacks continue, Israel’s blockade threatens the entire population of the Gaza Strip with famine, global hunger monitor Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) initiative has warned in a report.

The report stated the Gaza Strip “is still confronted with a critical risk of famine” after over a year and a half of war, with the vast majority of its approximately 2.1 million people at severe risk.

In March, the Israeli military halted the entry of food, water, medicine and all other life-saving supplies into Gaza. It is June and the blockade continues with no sign of stopping or a ceasefire. 

The report added that approximately 93 percent of Gaza’s population is experiencing acute food shortages.

Human Rights Watch reported last month that children in Gaza have been dying from starvation-related complications since the Israeli government began using starvation as a weapon of war, which it deemed a war crime.

Doctors and families in Gaza described children, as well as pregnant and breastfeeding mothers, suffering from severe malnutrition and dehydration, and hospitals ill-equipped to treat them.

To make matters worse, food prices in Gaza are soaring excessively.

The IPC report points to a 3,000 percent increase in the price of wheat flour since February in Deir el-Balah in central Gaza and Khan Younis in the south.

Ongoing Casualties and Devastation

In the past 24 hours alone, 40 people have been killed and 208 injured due to bombardment of attacks by the Israeli military.

Victims are still believed to be trapped under rubble, but unreachable due to continued bombardment and collapsed infrastructure.

Since the start of the war on October 7, 2023, the death toll in Gaza has reached a staggering 54,510, with 124,901 people injured.

Since March 18, 2025, the toll stands at 4,240 killed and 12,860 injured.

The Ministry emphasised that the figures could rise, as civil defence and ambulance crews are unable to reach many areas due to ongoing hostilities and fuel shortages.

A Renewed Plea for Intervention

The Ministry of Health has renewed its urgent appeal to the international community to take immediate action to:

• Stop attacks on civilians and aid zones
• Ensure protection of medical facilities
• Supply fuel, medicine, and critical infrastructure support to remaining hospitals

“Without urgent action, we are facing a full collapse of Gaza’s health system, and with it, the lives of thousands more may be lost,” said a spokesperson for the Ministry.

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