Israeli Forces Kill Over 100 in Gaza Amid Stalled Ceasefire Talks

On Saturday, 12 July 2025, at least 17 Palestinians were shot dead by Israeli troops near an aid distribution site in Rafah, with UN sources stating that nearly 800 people have been killed around GHF food distribution sites across Gaza since late May. Witnesses and hospital officials reported what they described as indiscriminate Israeli firing at civilians attempting to reach aid distribution points.

In Rafah’s al-Shakoush area, survivors described chaotic scenes of violence. Samir Shaat, a survivor, recounted to Al Jazeera, “The bag meant to be filled with food turned into shrouds. I swear it’s nothing but a death trap.” Sitting beside his friend’s body at Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis, he described carrying his friend amidst “pools of blood” as Israeli forces fired indiscriminately. Mohammad Barbakh, another survivor, told AFP, “They deceive us, letting us come to receive aid, then started shooting at us as if we were ducks being hunted.” He claimed the victims were targeted by sniper fire.

The GHF, backed by Israel and the US, has drawn sharp criticism from the United Nations and human rights groups, who have labelled its aid sites “human slaughterhouses” and “death traps”. Al Jazeera’s Tareq Abu Azzoum, reporting from Deir el-Balah, noted, “The GHF keeps only one aid centre operational in Rafah, forcing hundreds of thousands to move south for food.” He added that the military’s targeting of hungry crowds without warning has sparked widespread outrage. 

As of 7 July 2025, the UN OHCHR reported that approximately 798 Palestinian aid seekers were killed near GHF distribution sites or along aid convoy routes; Gaza’s Health Ministry earlier reported around 743 deaths and over 4,891 wounded since the end of May. Khalil al-Degran, a spokesperson for Al-Aqsa Hospital, stated, “The vast majority were shot in the head and legs,” highlighting the strain on medical facilities amid severe shortages.

Elsewhere, Israeli strikes killed 14 in Gaza City, including four in a residence on Jaffa Street, and 15 in Jabalia’s residential buildings. Seven more died in the Shati refugee camp, and nearly 50 bombs were dropped on Beit Hanoon. The Israeli military reported 250 attacks across Gaza in the past 48 hours, while continuing to restrict humanitarian aid, despite famine warnings. Gaza’s Government Media Office reported 67 child deaths from malnutrition, with 650,000 children under five at immediate risk.

Ceasefire talks in Qatar have faltered, with Hamas rejecting Israeli proposals to retain control over 40% of Gaza, including Rafah, according to Reuters and AFP. A Palestinian source told AFP that Israel’s plan would confine displaced Palestinians to a small area near Rafah, describing it as an attempt to “legitimise the reoccupation of half the Gaza Strip”. Disputes also persist over aid distribution and guarantees to end the conflict. One source suggested stronger US intervention could resolve the impasse, but no breakthrough is imminent.

Omar Rahman, a fellow at the Middle East Council on Global Affairs, told Al Jazeera, “Israel’s goal is the physical destruction of Gaza and the forcible depopulation of the Strip.” He criticised the GHF as a tool to displace traditional aid channels and condemned Israel’s plan for a “humanitarian city” in Rafah as a “concentration camp” designed to confine 2.1 million Palestinians. Rights groups and several nations have denounced this as a precursor to ethnic cleansing, while Palestinians vow to remain in Gaza.

The escalating violence and stalled negotiations underscore the deepening humanitarian tragedy in Gaza, with no immediate resolution in sight.