By Emeka Blast 
Rafah Governorate: Eight Aid Seekers Killed in Israeli Shooting Near Distribution Point
On June 9, 2025, Israeli forces reportedly opened fire on a crowd of Palestinians near a food distribution point in Rafah, southern Gaza Strip. According to the Palestinian news agency Wafa, at least eight individuals were killed in the incident .
The shooting occurred as people were lining up to receive humanitarian aid provided by the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), a U.S.-backed organization operating in the area. Witnesses stated that members of the Abu Shabab-led Popular Forces militia attempted to manage the crowd before opening fire, prompting people to throw stones and causing the militia to retreat toward Israeli military zones. The GHF denied any affiliation with the militia and temporarily closed the Rafah site due to the chaos .
This incident is part of a series of deadly confrontations since the introduction of a new aid distribution system in Gaza, which replaced the previous UN-led system. The new system, managed by the GHF, has faced criticism from the United Nations and major aid groups for failing to meet Gaza’s humanitarian needs and further endangering civilians .
The ongoing conflict in Gaza, which began in October 2023, has resulted in over 54,900 Palestinian deaths, widespread displacement, and severe shortages of essential resources, exacerbating the humanitarian crisis in the region.
