• At least 30 Palestinians killed and over 150 injured as Israeli forces open fire near aid sites.
• The Gaza Humanitarian Foundation's aid distribution faces heavy criticism amid ongoing violence.
• International humanitarian organizations express grave concerns over Israel's military control of aid efforts.
• Eyewitness accounts describe chaotic scenes and severe injuries among civilians seeking essential supplies.
• Calls for increased humanitarian access are urgent as desperation grows among Gaza's population.

At least 30 Palestinians have been killed and over 150 injured during incidents of gunfire at aid distribution sites in southern Gaza. This violence primarily occurred near a location run by the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, which has been distributing aid amid heightened tensions. Witnesses reported that crowds seeking food were met with gunfire from Israeli military vehicles, resulting in mass casualties as ambulances struggled to reach the wounded due to ongoing fire. Many were transported using makeshift carts to medical facilities, according to Anadolu Agency and BBC.

The situation escalated on a single day, with different reports indicating death tolls between 21 and 30. The Gaza Health Ministry noted that at least 21 people were confirmed killed by Israeli fire while others reported higher casualties. Eyewitnesses recounted the horror of the scene, describing heavy fire from Israeli military positions, including naval ships and tanks, targeting crowds that had begun to gather before dawn to secure food aid, as reinforced by reports from India Times and ABC News.

Criticism has mounted against the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation's aid distribution strategies, which have drawn ire from both international humanitarian groups and the United Nations. Critics argue that the foundation's operations violate humanitarian principles by allowing military oversight of aid distribution, thus endangering civilians. The UN has stated that this approach not only limits access but also risks exacerbating the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, as reiterated by South China Morning Post and ABC News.

The ongoing violence and broken distribution systems have prompted warnings of imminent famine, with Gaza's population facing extreme hunger and limited access to essential resources. Analysts and health officials have painted a grim picture of the conditions on the ground, emphasizing that without a significant increase in humanitarian aid, the situation could reach catastrophic levels, as reported by Anadolu Agency, India Times, and BBC.