At least three Palestinian civilians were killed and 46 others wounded on Tuesday when Israeli occupation forces opened fire at a U.S.-backed humanitarian aid distribution site in Rafah, southern Gaza, according to the Government Media Office (GMO) in Gaza.

The attack targeted desperate civilians gathered to receive food aid at a distribution center operated under a joint Israeli-U.S.-supported initiative. Eyewitnesses and local authorities reported chaos breaking out shortly after the site opened, with U.S. security contractors allegedly losing control of the crowd.

Al Jazeera reported that the incident occurred at a center administered by a foundation supported by both Israeli and American actors, and that confusion and panic ensued amid heavy military presence.

In a statement, the Palestinian Center for the Missing and Forcibly Disappeared said several civilians have not returned home since attending the aid site on Tuesday afternoon. “A number of citizens went there but have not returned to their homes, and there is still no confirmed information about their fate,” the center said.

The organization placed full responsibility on the Israeli military for the disappearances and called for the immediate disclosure of information regarding the missing individuals. It also urged international bodies to intervene and ensure the safe, transparent, and fair distribution of humanitarian assistance.

"This tragic incident highlights the extreme dangers faced by civilians in Gaza who are simply trying to access food," the center stated, warning that such events are likely to recur amid ongoing military aggression, widespread insecurity, and the lack of protective mechanisms for aid recipients.

The Rafah aid tragedy is the latest in a series of deadly incidents involving humanitarian operations in the besieged enclave, where Israel’s ongoing blockade and military offensive have created catastrophic conditions for over two million residents.

International human rights organizations have repeatedly criticized Israel’s handling of aid delivery, citing violations of international law and the deliberate targeting of civilians.

As of today, there has been no official comment from Israeli authorities or U.S. aid officials regarding the attack or the reports of missing civilians. (ILKHA)