INTERNATIONAL: Relentless Attacks and Numerous Deaths in Gaza
Tragic Attacks Near Zikim Crossing
On Sunday, July 20, 2025, Israeli forces opened fire on Palestinians waiting for humanitarian aid trucks at the Zikim crossing in northern Gaza, killing at least 79 people. Over 150 others were injured, many critically, as desperate crowds gathered to access food supplies. Eyewitnesses reported that Israeli soldiers fired directly at the civilians, with no immediate comment from the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) on the incident.
Shakoush Area Shooting
In a separate incident on the same day, six Palestinians were killed in the Shakoush area near Rafah, southern Gaza, while attempting to reach a food distribution site operated by the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF). Witnesses described chaotic scenes as Israeli troops allegedly fired on the crowd, exacerbating the humanitarian crisis. The GHF denied any violence occurred within its site, claiming the incident took place outside its secure area.
UN and Eyewitness Accounts
A United Nations official attributed the attacks to Israeli forces, highlighting the dire conditions faced by Palestinians seeking aid. Eyewitnesses, including Mahmoud Mokeimar, described the shootings as indiscriminate, with troops firing on crowds without warning. The UN World Food Program condemned the violence, noting that the shootings occurred despite assurances from Israeli authorities for safe humanitarian operations.
Evacuation Orders Intensify Crisis
Amid the violence, the Israeli military issued new evacuation orders for parts of central Gaza, including Deir al-Balah, where many displaced Palestinians and aid organizations are based. The orders have sparked panic, with fears of an expanded Israeli ground offensive. The UN reported that these restrictions threaten the operations of humanitarian groups, with several offices forced to evacuate immediately.
Humanitarian Catastrophe Worsens
The attacks come as Gaza’s 2 million residents face a severe hunger crisis, worsened by a nearly three-month Israeli blockade on aid, partially eased in May. The Gaza Health Ministry reported over 58,000 Palestinian deaths since the war began on October 7, 2023, with hundreds killed near aid sites since late May. The UN and aid groups have criticized the GHF’s system as inadequate and dangerous, urging a return to traditional UN-led aid distribution.