Israel targets Palestinians at aid distribution centers, kills 25 civilians, Friday

CAIRO – 5 September 2025: The death toll since the early hours of Friday morning has exceeded 25 across the Gaza Strip, as a result of a new escalation by Israeli occupation forces, which continued to directly target civilians.

Five were killed in Khan Yunis, including a Palestinian killed while heading with a number of citizens to a US aid distribution center in the southern part of the city, according to al Qahera news channel.

The Israeli forces opened direct fire on the gathered Palestinians, killing one and wounding several others with varying degrees of severity.

In the Central Governorate, the Israeli forces also opened fire on those waiting for aid in the northern part of the governorate, killing another Palestinian and wounding ten citizens with varying degrees of severity, some of whom are in critical condition.

The occupation forces launched an airstrike on a residential house in the city of Deir al-Balah, south of the Central Governorate, severely destroying it and wounding several of its residents.

Hamas said on Friday that it had shown ‘every flexibility’ in reaching an agreement that would lead to ending the war and a prisoners’ swap deal, but Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu insists on obstructing and thwarting the mediators' efforts.

It added that Netanyahu insists on pursuing plans for genocide and displacement in an endless war to serve his fascist government's agenda and at the expense of the lives of his hostages in Gaza.

Hamas has warned on Thursday that the ongoing expansion of Israeli military operations in Gaza City, home to around half of the enclave’s 2.2 million residents, poses a serious threat to the lives of Israeli captives and soldiers.

On Wednesday, Hamas posted a stern warning video on its Telegram channel in Arabic and Hebrew.

The video showed brief footage, apparently of a captive sitting in the dark, wiping his face in distress. The text read: "The decision to expand your criminal operations in Gaza City will cost you the lives of your soldiers and captives."

Hamas is believed to still hold around 50 captives, with around 20 thought to be alive.