Hamas Kills 45 Palestinians in Attack on Aid Trucks Sent by Israel in Gaza
Hamas carried out a brutal attack, killing 45 Palestinians waiting for aid trucks sent by Israel in Gaza. The group, known for using civilians as shields and even executing them to control aid distribution, once again demonstrates its oppressive grip over the local population.
A new wave of violence shocked the Gaza Strip on Tuesday, June 17, 2025, at 12:49 AM CEST, when the militant group Hamas executed an attack that left 45 Palestinians dead. The victims were awaiting the arrival of aid trucks sent by Israel, an effort to alleviate the humanitarian crisis in the war-torn region. The incident, reported by local sources and confirmed by witnesses, once again exposes the brutal methods of Hamas, which resorts to manipulating and eliminating civilians to maintain its dominance over resources entering the territory.
According to accounts, the Palestinians were gathered near a distribution point in Khan Younis, southern Gaza, when Hamas members opened fire on the crowd. The aid, consisting of food and medical supplies, was part of a recent Israeli initiative to mitigate the effects of months of blockade and conflict that have left the population on the brink of starvation. However, Hamas, which has controlled Gaza since 2007, reportedly saw the distribution as a threat to its power, using force to ensure the resources remain under its control.
This tactic is not new. Hamas is widely accused of using civilians as human shields, positioning fighters and equipment in densely populated areas to deflect Israeli attacks and blame the adversary for civilian casualties. Additionally, the group has a history of intercepting and managing humanitarian aid entering Gaza, often executing or intimidating those who attempt to access supplies without permission. Witnesses claim that the 45 killed included men, women, and even children who were simply seeking survival amid the humanitarian collapse.
The incident unfolds amid escalating tensions in the region. Since the October 7, 2023, attack when Hamas invaded southern Israel, killing approximately 1,200 people and abducting 251 hostages, the conflict has intensified, resulting in over 55,300 Palestinian deaths, according to the Gaza Health Ministry. Israel has ramped up its military campaign to dismantle Hamas, but efforts to deliver aid face constant obstacles, including interference from the militant group itself. Humanitarian organizations, such as the UN, criticize the situation but note that internal violence, like that perpetrated by Hamas, worsens the crisis.
The attack also raises questions about the effectiveness of aid initiatives. Israel, accused of restricting supply flows, recently introduced a distribution system supported by the U.S., operated by the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), to prevent Hamas from diverting resources. However, incidents like the one in Khan Younis reveal that Hamas’s control over the population continues to turn these efforts into scenes of violence. Witnesses report that after the shooting, Hamas members seized the trucks and supplies, leaving survivors with no access.
The international community responds with concern. While some condemn Israel for maintaining the blockade, others point fingers at Hamas, holding it accountable for the deaths of its own citizens. The UN and Red Cross have reiterated calls for an independent investigation, but the lack of safe access to Gaza hinders fact verification. For Palestinians, the tragedy reinforces the feeling of being caught between two fires: the war with Israel and the internal oppression of a group that paradoxically claims to represent them.
The episode in Khan Younis serves as a brutal reminder of the conflict’s complexity. While Israel seeks to neutralize Hamas, the group responds with tactics that sacrifice its own population, perpetuating a cycle of suffering. The 45 lives lost are another number in a growing statistic, but also a symbol of the relentless control Hamas exerts over Gaza, turning even the hope of aid into a battlefield.
Until a sustainable solution is found, Gaza’s future remains grim. Humanitarian aid, meant to save lives, continues to be a point of contention, and Palestinians pay the highest price. The Hamas attack not only disrupted relief efforts but also exposed the predatory nature of its rule, leaving the population hostage to a war that seems endless.
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