Israeli forces killed four Palestinians on Sunday while they were attempting to access a food distribution point in a military zone south of Gaza City, witnesses and hospital officials reported. The area, frequently used by Palestinians seeking aid, has seen repeated incidents of violence as parts of the Gaza Strip plunge into famine and Israel prepares for a planned offensive to seize Gaza City.

According to Al-Awda Hospital and eyewitnesses, the four were shot when troops opened fire on a crowd heading to a site run by the Israeli-backed American contractor Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF) in the Netzarim corridor. Witnesses said the gunfire was indiscriminate, causing panic as some people fell while fleeing. Two of the injured were assisted by fellow aid seekers. Neither the Israeli military nor GHF responded immediately to requests for comment.

The deaths add to the rising toll of Palestinians killed while seeking food. Gaza’s Health Ministry reports that more than 2,000 Palestinians have been killed and over 13,500 injured at aid distribution points or along U.N. convoy routes. The ministry estimates at least 62,686 Palestinians have died in the ongoing war, including children, with malnutrition-related deaths recently rising to 289. About half of all casualties are women and children.

The Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) has confirmed famine conditions in Gaza City, which could extend south to Deir al-Balah and Khan Younis by next month. Aid groups have repeatedly warned that Israeli restrictions on food and medical supplies are worsening starvation, although Israel denies widespread hunger in the region.

Meanwhile, residents in Jabaliya refugee camp north of Gaza City reported non-stop explosions and strikes as Israeli military operations intensify. Many Palestinians remain displaced, living in fear, while Israel mobilizes reservists and advances toward Gaza City, aiming to destroy militant networks and force relocation. The conflict began after Hamas attacks on October 7, 2023, in which 251 people were abducted and approximately 1,200 killed, mostly civilians.