Israeli air strikes killed at least 44 Palestinians in Gaza on May 27, 2025, following the looting of a food warehouse in Khan Younis, exacerbating the region’s humanitarian crisis. The strikes targeted areas around the warehouse, which was storing aid supplies, after reports of chaos and violence during the looting.
Gaza health authorities reported that the victims included 12 children and eight women, with over 100 others injured. The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) stated that the strikes aimed to restore order and target Hamas operatives allegedly orchestrating the looting, though no evidence of militant activity was provided.
The incident followed weeks of restricted aid deliveries, with only 20% of planned humanitarian missions facilitated in southern Gaza in May, due to Israeli blockades and security checks. The warehouse, managed by the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA), was one of few remaining aid depots, and its looting highlighted desperate food shortages, with 80% of Gaza’s 2.3 million residents facing acute hunger. The strikes sparked international outrage, with the UN condemning the loss of civilian lives and calling for an immediate ceasefire to allow aid access.
The violence has intensified pressure on Israel, with the UK, France, and Canada threatening sanctions if the offensive continues. U.S. President Donald Trump, who recently visited the region, urged an end to the conflict but proposed turning Gaza into a “freedom zone,” a vague plan criticized as unfeasible. The strikes have derailed ceasefire talks in Doha, with Hamas demanding an end to hostilities. The crisis underscores Gaza’s dire situation, with hospitals overwhelmed and no safe zones for civilians. The international community faces mounting calls to address the humanitarian catastrophe and broker peace.