A strike on the Palestine Red Crescent Society (PRCS) headquarters in Khan Younis, Gaza, has killed one staff member and injured three others, prompting strong condemnation from the humanitarian group. The early Sunday morning attack caused a fire inside the clearly marked facility, with the PRCS calling it a “deliberate” act by the Israeli military.
The PRCS said the location of its building is well known to Israeli forces and is visibly marked with the red protective emblem recognized under international humanitarian law. In a video shared by the organization, parts of the headquarters are seen in flames, with thick smoke filling the building and large blood stains on the floor.
The staff member who died was identified as Omar Isleem. Two other PRCS workers were injured, along with a civilian who was trying to help extinguish the fire. “This was not a mistake,” the PRCS said in a statement posted on X. “We renew our call for accountability and for the protection of all humanitarian and medical personnel.”
When asked about the incident, the Israel Defence Forces (IDF) told the BBC that it had “no knowledge” of any artillery or air strikes in that area.
The deadly attack comes amid a deepening humanitarian crisis in Gaza, where Palestinians are struggling to access food and aid. According to the United Nations, at least 1,373 people have been killed since late May while attempting to reach aid distribution points—many of which are run by the US and Israeli-supported Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF). Of these deaths, 38 occurred on Saturday alone near GHF sites.
Israel has rejected claims that it targets civilians and instead blamed Hamas for the chaos near aid centers. GHF has also disputed the UN’s fatality figures. Meanwhile, humanitarian groups say Israel has repeatedly blocked or delayed aid, contributing to rising deaths from starvation and malnutrition. Gaza’s health ministry reports that 175 people, including 93 children, have died from hunger-related causes.
Despite Israel’s announcement of “tactical pauses” in military operations since July 27 to allow aid through, deaths continue. Over 100 people were killed on Wednesday and Thursday while seeking food, according to the UN Human Rights Office.
UN officials, including UNRWA head Philippe Lazzarini and UNICEF’s deputy executive director Ted Chaiban, have warned that Gaza is now facing famine. UNICEF estimates that 320,000 children are at risk of acute malnutrition. Aid deliveries remain severely limited, with just 36 trucks entering Gaza on Saturday—far below the 600 trucks aid agencies say are needed daily.
The PRCS has called on the international community to protect humanitarian workers and demand justice for attacks targeting aid facilities and personnel.
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