Deadly Israeli Strikes Across Gaza Kill Dozens
Intensified Israeli military actions across the Gaza Strip have resulted in the deaths of at least 47 Palestinians in a single day, according to Palestinian health officials. The casualties include a significant number of civilians killed while attempting to access desperately needed humanitarian aid, highlighting the perilous conditions facing the population amidst severe shortages and fears of famine.
Among the victims, at least 11 Palestinians were killed and over 100 injured by Israeli fire while waiting for aid trucks on Salah al-Din Street near the Netzarim Corridor in central Gaza early Wednesday. Medical sources described this incident as the latest in a disturbing pattern of violence against Palestinians seeking food and supplies in recent weeks. Eyewitness accounts from aid distribution points paint a grim picture, with reports of drones, tanks, and snipers deployed and targeting civilians.
Beyond the aid distribution points, deadly strikes also occurred elsewhere in the besieged territory. In the Zeitoun neighbourhood south of Gaza City, an air strike on a home killed at least eight people. Further south, in the al-Mawasi camp hosting displaced civilians, Israeli strikes on tents killed eight people, including a woman and two children. In central Gaza, a strike on the Maghazi camp reportedly killed 10 people, including an entire family.
A Pattern of Violence at Aid Sites
The killing of aid seekers has become a grim and near-daily occurrence since limited humanitarian aid began to be distributed through controversial channels in late May. Desperate Palestinians, facing starvation, often gather in large crowds during narrow windows when aid is reportedly available, despite the risks. Reports indicate hundreds of Palestinians have been killed and thousands wounded while attempting to reach or receive aid since distribution resumed. This pattern includes particularly deadly incidents, such as one day earlier this week when over 70 Palestinians were killed and hundreds wounded while seeking assistance, described by some as potentially the deadliest single event related to aid distribution so far.
Navigating aid routes is inherently dangerous, with many Palestinians forced to travel long distances through active combat zones. Despite designated access routes and times, surrounding areas often remain perilous, leading people to risk their lives by arriving hours early or navigating dangerous paths.
A contentious aid distribution system, backed by the US and Israel, known as the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), began operations as Israel partially eased a blockade imposed for months. However, the United Nations and major humanitarian groups have refused to cooperate with the GHF, citing concerns that it prioritizes Israeli military objectives over humanitarian needs and bypasses experienced aid organizations. Humanitarian officials argue the aid provided through this system is vastly insufficient for Gaza’s estimated population of 2.1 million, many of whom are on the brink of famine.
The Humanitarian Crisis Deepens
The latest casualties add to the escalating death toll in Gaza since the conflict erupted in October 2023. According to Gaza’s Health Ministry, more than 55,000 Palestinians have been killed and over 129,000 wounded. The conflict has resulted in widespread destruction, mass displacement, and deaths from starvation, including among children.
Adding to the dire humanitarian situation, Gaza’s health system faces imminent collapse. The few operational hospitals report having only enough fuel to last approximately three days. The Health Ministry warns that Israeli forces are preventing international aid groups and UN organizations from accessing critical fuel storage sites for hospitals, citing that they are located in so-called “red zones.” This restriction threatens to shut down hospitals that rely on generators for power, leaving countless patients without care.
Military Responses and Disputed Claims
When asked for comment regarding the deaths of people waiting for food aid, the Israeli military told Reuters that it was looking into the reports. Regarding other strikes, the military claimed it was operating to dismantle Hamas military capabilities while taking “feasible precautions to mitigate civilian harm.”
However, eyewitness accounts and reporting from the ground often contradict these claims, with civilians reporting being directly targeted while attempting to access food or sheltering in designated ‘safe’ areas. The assertion that hungry crowds constitute a security threat has reportedly not been substantiated with clear evidence by the military.
The ongoing violence against civilians, including those seeking aid and refuge, continues to draw condemnation from humanitarian bodies and local officials, who describe the actions as exacerbating a catastrophic humanitarian crisis and raising concerns about potential violations of international law.
