Gaza Aid Workers Struggle Amid Surge in Mass Casualty Events

In Gaza, humanitarian workers are facing unprecedented challenges as they contend with a series of mass casualty incidents linked to food distribution efforts. Reports indicate that since the implementation of a new aid distribution system in late May 2025, hundreds have been injured, with many casualties resulting from Israeli gunfire aimed at individuals seeking essential aid. The situation has escalated dramatically, overwhelming medical facilities already strained by ongoing conflict.

Dr. Mohammed Saqr, the director of nursing at Nasser Medical Complex in Khan Younis, reported that his facility has treated numerous individuals suffering from severe injuries, primarily gunshot wounds. "The scenes are truly shocking – they resemble the horrors of judgment day," he stated. According to the Gaza Ministry of Health, between May 27 and July 2, 2025, there were 640 fatalities and over 4,500 injuries linked to these food distribution sites, described by some as 'American food distribution centres' due to their backing from the U.S. and Israel.

The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) has documented a significant increase in the number of casualties treated in its field hospitals. In a recent statement, the ICRC noted, "The scale and frequency of these incidents are without precedent. In just over a month, the number of patients treated has surpassed the total seen in all mass casualty events during the entire previous year." Among the wounded are families, including young children and mothers, many of whom were merely attempting to secure food for their households.

Dr. Clare Jeffreys, an emergency medicine specialist working with UK-Med in al-Mawasi, echoed these concerns, confirming that many patients arrived at the hospital with injuries sustained while trying to access food supplies. "We are really struggling with acute shortages of basic supplies," Jeffreys said, highlighting the dire conditions faced by medical staff trying to care for an influx of patients.

The Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), the organization overseeing food distribution, has denied that any injuries occurred at their sites, attributing the violence to Israeli military actions. In a statement, the GHF claimed, "To date, there have been no incidents or fatalities at or in the immediate vicinity of any of our distribution sites during our operating hours."

The Israeli military asserts that it does not target civilians and follows international law in its operations. However, a report from Haaretz noted accounts from soldiers admitting to orders to fire on civilians. In light of these revelations, the military announced a review of its operations around aid distribution sites.

The healthcare system in Gaza has been severely compromised due to the ongoing conflict, which escalated following a surprise attack by Hamas on Israel in October 2023. This offensive led to a tragic loss of life, with over 57,000 Palestinians reported killed and substantial destruction of medical infrastructure. Nearly half of Gaza's hospitals are no longer operational, and those that remain are functioning under extreme duress, lacking essential medical supplies and personnel.

As the humanitarian crisis deepens, the ICRC has reported that the healthcare system's capacity is nearing collapse. "Staff are racing to treat an unrelenting tide of injuries, the vast majority caused by gunfire, which has overwhelmed Gaza’s shattered healthcare system," stated an ICRC representative.

In a poignant reflection of the dire situation, Haitam al-Hasan, an operating theatre nurse at the ICRC’s Rafah hospital, remarked, "We have people screaming, rushing, trying to be the first in line because, of course, everybody wants to be treated first."

The international community has been called upon to address the ongoing humanitarian crisis as the situation continues to deteriorate. With food and medical supplies in critical shortage, the implications for the population of Gaza remain grave, highlighting the urgent need for intervention and support from global organizations.