Palestinian health authorities reported that at least 40 Palestinians were killed and dozens more injured Tuesday in a wave of Israeli airstrikes across the Gaza Strip, as civilians gathered in densely populated neighbourhoods, aid distribution points, and private homes were targeted.

The bombardment began before dawn and swept through multiple districts, including central, southern and eastern Gaza. Witnesses described a relentless barrage of missiles and artillery that struck residential blocks and areas where displaced families had sought shelter.

One of the deadliest incidents occurred near the Netzarim crossing, in central Gaza, where 25 Palestinians were gunned down and over 150 wounded while waiting for humanitarian aid to arrive. Survivors recounted scenes of chaos and panic as people scrambled for cover under incoming fire.

In the Nuseirat refugee camp, Al-Awda Hospital received 19 bodies and 146 injured individuals following an airstrike on Salah al-Din Street, south of Wadi Gaza. Medical staff warned that 62 of the wounded remain in critical condition, stretching the already overwhelmed healthcare system to its limits.

Civil defense teams in the Al-Sabra neighbourhood recovered five bodies from the rubble of a bombed-out home, highlighting the widespread destruction of private residences. Local rescuers feared that more victims could be buried under debris in the coming hours.

These latest strikes followed a similar onslaught on Monday, when the Gaza Health Ministry confirmed 39 deaths and 317 injuries from air attacks on civilian areas across the enclave. Residents say the pattern of targeting aid queues and homes has become alarmingly routine since October 7, 2023.

Since the escalation of hostilities in October 2023, the Israeli military offensive has killed over 55,000 Palestinians and wounded more than 129,000, according to Gaza health officials. Thousands are feared trapped beneath collapsed buildings, inaccessible to rescue teams amid ongoing shelling.

International aid agencies have warned of a deepening humanitarian catastrophe, with fuel shortages crippling hospitals and water networks, and the blockade hampering food and medical supplies. The UN, the Red Cross, and other groups have repeatedly called for safe corridors to deliver relief and protect civilians.

Israel’s military spokesperson said the strikes were carried out in response to “terrorist activity” and that forces were “reviewing” reports of civilian casualties. The army maintains it uses precision munitions but acknowledges the densely populated nature of Gaza complicates targeting.

Human rights organizations argue that the repeated attacks on aid distribution points may violate international humanitarian law, potentially constituting collective punishment of a civilian population. UN experts have urged an immediate ceasefire and investigations into alleged war crimes.

Eyewitness Mohammed Abu Salem described the Netzarim strike as “a massacre,” saying tanks and drones fired on aid seekers even as they fled toward UNRWA trucks. “I saw bodies lying everywhere—children, women—it was beyond belief,” he told teleSUR.

With the humanitarian situation deteriorating by the hour, UN Secretary-General António Guterres and the UN Security Council have renewed calls for unhindered aid access, protection of civilians, and an end to hostilities to prevent Gaza from collapsing into total societal breakdown.

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