At least 21 Palestinians died on Wednesday, July 16, in central Gaza after a stampede broke out during an aid distribution. Witnesses say tear gas fired by Israeli forces triggered panic among the crowd.
The incident occurred in the overcrowded al-Nuseirat refugee camp, where thousands had gathered outside a humanitarian aid center in hopes of receiving food and basic supplies. Gaza, devastated by months of war and blockade, has seen aid deliveries become rare and chaotic. According to local witnesses and medical personnel, Israeli forces deployed tear gas in an attempt to disperse the swelling crowd. As the gas spread, panic quickly took hold. People began pushing and fleeing in all directions, and in the resulting chaos, dozens were knocked to the ground and trampled. At least 21 were confirmed dead, many of them women and children, and dozens more were injured.
The tragedy highlights the worsening humanitarian disaster in Gaza, where nearly the entire population is dependent on international aid. With food and clean water scarce, desperation has grown. The United Nations has repeatedly called for safe corridors for aid delivery and a sustained ceasefire, describing the situation as “catastrophic and unprecedented.”
As families search for missing loved ones among the dead and wounded, public anger is rising. Survivors are demanding accountability and safety guarantees for future aid distributions. Israeli officials had yet to issue a formal statement at the time of writing. In a war where hunger and fear claim lives as mercilessly as bombs, Wednesday’s tragedy stands as a stark reminder: even the act of seeking food can turn deadly in Gaza today.
BAÏDJAN Ahmed , Correspondent, India
