At least 48 Palestinians were killed and many others injured on Wednesday, July 30, while attempting to collect food near the Zikim Crossing in northern Gaza. The area, a rare aid distribution point, witnessed heavy gunfire as people gathered in desperation amid deepening famine conditions. Victims were rushed to Shifa Hospital and Al‑Saraya Field Hospital, while local officials described the incident as a “massacre of the hungry.”
Just hours earlier, 46 others were killed overnight in separate Israeli air and ground assaults across central and southern Gaza. In addition, seven Palestinians, including at least one child, reportedly died due to severe hunger and malnutrition, highlighting the rapidly deteriorating humanitarian situation.
The Israeli military, which controls the Zikim area, did not clarify whether its forces opened fire during the aid incident. It claimed to target only armed groups, while humanitarian workers assert that civilians have become routine victims. Gaza-based aid organizations and international observers continue to warn that the region is heading into a “worst-case famine scenario”, as food supplies dwindle and aid routes remain limited.
This comes as U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff travels to Israel for talks focused on easing the humanitarian crisis and addressing the unresolved hostage situation stemming from the events of October 2023. The visit is expected to include discussions on aid delivery, civilian protection, and diplomatic pressure to de-escalate the situation.
Since the beginning of 2025, over 1,000 Palestinians have died while seeking food or aid, with mounting criticism directed at the international community for failing to enforce basic protections under humanitarian law.
