The Palestinian Association for Human Rights (Witness) strongly condemns, in the harshest terms, the horrific massacre committed by Israeli occupation forces against dozens of unarmed Palestinian civilians as they waited to receive humanitarian aid in northern Gaza. The attack resulted in the martyrdom of more than 45 civilians and the injury of over 200 others — a new crime added to the occupation’s long record of grave violations of international law. This took place today, Tuesday, June 17, 2025, near the "Desalination Plant” in Khan Younis, southern Gaza. It follows a similar incident just one day earlier, in which fifty Palestinians were martyred while also waiting for food aid near a site overseen by the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation.
According to field testimonies and medical sources, the occupation forces opened direct fire on crowds of civilians gathered near aid trucks operated by the "Gaza Humanitarian Foundation," resulting in the casualties. The scene reflects a deliberate disregard for civilian lives and a systematic use of deadly force in areas presumed to be safe humanitarian corridors.
This crime constitutes a blatant violation of international humanitarian law, particularly the Fourth Geneva Convention, which clearly prohibits the targeting of civilians during times of conflict and imposes on the occupying power the responsibility to protect the population under occupation. Witness calls for:
1️⃣ The immediate launch of an international investigation under the supervision of an independent UN committee to examine the circumstances of the massacre and hold the perpetrators accountable.
2️⃣ Referring the case of targeting civilians to the International Criminal Court as a fully constituted war crime.
3️⃣ Ensuring safe and effective humanitarian corridors under genuine UN supervision, independent of occupation control, to deliver aid to the population.
June 17, 2025
The Palestinian Association for Human Rights (Witness)