Tragedy struck southern Gaza as Hossam Wafi, a father of six, was killed while attempting to collect food for his family in Rafah. According to Gaza’s civil defense agency, Wafi was among 31 people reportedly killed by Israeli fire near an aid distribution site.
His grieving mother, Nahla Wafi, shared that her son had gone with his brother and nephew to obtain flour. “He went to get food for his daughters—and came back dead,” she said while comforting her granddaughters at Nasser Hospital in Khan Yunis.
Witnesses claimed a drone strike targeted the area, although Israeli authorities denied responsibility, stating that only “warning shots” were fired at individuals a kilometer away from the Rafah aid center. The Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), which oversees the center with U.S. and Israeli backing, also denied the incident.
The International Committee of the Red Cross confirmed its field hospital received 179 people that day, including 21 declared dead on arrival—most with gunshot or shrapnel wounds from near aid centers.
Video footage from central Gaza showed chaotic scenes at other GHF-managed sites, with people corralled into fenced corridors surrounded by military-like security and armoured vehicles.
Wafi’s uncle, Ali, voiced outrage at the conditions: “He went for a bite of bread. What was he supposed to do? He had to feed his little kids.”
The incident highlights the growing humanitarian crisis in Gaza, where the UN warns of widespread famine. Calls for safe and neutral aid distribution continue to mount amid escalating tensions and international criticism.