A deadly Israeli drone strike targeted a market in Deir al-Balah, central Gaza, on Thursday, reportedly killing at least 18 Palestinians. Doctors and eyewitnesses at the scene described a chaotic and tragic aftermath following the incident.
According to eyewitness accounts, the strike occurred as a unit of Hamas police, dressed in civilian clothing and wearing masks, were attempting to assert control over vendors in the bustling market. The police were reportedly confronting vendors accused of price gouging and selling goods allegedly looted from vital aid trucks.
Witnesses detailed a tense confrontation where the unit commander demanded vendors “sell at a fair price or we will confiscate the goods.” This reportedly escalated when some vendors allegedly produced handguns, and one was seen with a Kalashnikov rifle. Shortly after, Israeli drones fired two missiles at the location.
Video footage captured the horrific scene following the strike, showing bodies lying on the ground amid panicked shoppers screaming for help as ambulances raced to assist the injured. A doctor at Deir al-Balah’s Al-Aqsa Hospital confirmed that 18 bodies were brought to the morgue, though it remained unclear how many of those killed were members of the police unit or civilians.
The Hamas-run Ministry of Interior swiftly condemned the strike, calling it “a new crime against a police unit tasked with maintaining public order.” The BBC reported contacting the Israeli military for comment regarding this specific incident.
Humanitarian Crisis and Dangers at Aid Sites
The strike in Deir al-Balah comes amidst a severe and worsening humanitarian crisis across Gaza, where civilians face extreme difficulty accessing food and essential supplies. Limited goods available in markets are often sold at highly inflated prices, exacerbating the hardship.
Accessing humanitarian aid has become increasingly perilous. Reports indicate near-daily shootings near aid distribution points in south and central Gaza, including sites operated by the US and Israel-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF).
Incidents near GHF sites have reportedly resulted in significant civilian casualties. Medics and local health authorities have reported dozens of Palestinians killed by gunfire while attempting to reach or wait for aid, leading to accusations against Israeli soldiers. While the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) have stated they fired warning shots or targeted advancing suspects, reports from the ground describe large numbers of deaths and injuries, often from gunshot wounds, near these designated aid locations.
The GHF, established as an alternative aid delivery mechanism, has faced widespread criticism from humanitarian groups, including the UN, who have called its system “unworkable and unethical” and accused it of attempting to bypass existing UN aid structures. A recent report indicated the head of the GHF resigned, citing that proposed distribution hubs would not meet humanitarian principles. The UN denies Israeli claims that it has failed to prevent Hamas from diverting aid.
Adding to the complex situation, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has accused Hamas of “once again taking control of humanitarian aid… and stealing it from civilians,” particularly in northern Gaza. This followed video footage showing armed and masked men atop an aid convoy entering northern Gaza. Hamas and Gaza’s non-affiliated tribal committee have denied these accusations, stating that aid security is handled through tribal efforts.
Other Recent Fatal Attacks
The market strike is one of several deadly incidents reported across Gaza in recent days:
Before the Deir al-Balah market strike, at least 14 Palestinians were reportedly killed in Israeli military attacks since midnight, according to the Hamas-run Civil Defence.
Three Palestinians waiting for humanitarian aid near the Wadi Gaza bridge were reportedly killed by Israeli gunfire. Witnesses claimed drones fired on a large crowd of civilians. The IDF acknowledged identifying a gathering near their position, firing warning shots, and stated initial inquiries regarding casualties did not align with their information, though the incident was under review.
Five people were killed in an Israeli air strike on a school sheltering displaced families in western Gaza City.
In Al-Mawasi, Khan Younis, an air strike on a tent sheltering displaced persons killed five members of the Abu Arab family, with another Palestinian killed in a separate tent strike in the area.
The IDF generally states it is operating to dismantle Hamas military capabilities and investigates reports of civilian casualties when specific details are provided.
Amidst the ongoing violence and humanitarian crisis, the World Health Organization (WHO) announced its first medical shipment into Gaza since early March, delivering nine trucks of supplies, blood, and plasma without looting despite high-risk conditions. However, the WHO chief described the amount as “only a drop in the ocean,” particularly as hospitals face critical shortages and a growing influx of injuries, many linked to incidents at food distribution sites.
The current conflict began following Hamas’s October 7, 2023 attack on Israel, which resulted in approximately 1,200 deaths and 251 hostages taken. According to Gaza’s Hamas-run health ministry, the death toll in Gaza has since surpassed 56,000.
