The Gaza civil defense ministry reports at least 30 Palestinians were killed due to Israeli fire while acquiring aid. This incident has reignited discussions regarding the ongoing humanitarian disaster, with over 1,000 Palestinians reportedly killed while seeking food since May.
Tragic Shootings Claim Lives of 30 Civilians Waiting for Aid in Gaza
Tragic Shootings Claim Lives of 30 Civilians Waiting for Aid in Gaza
At least 30 Palestinians were killed by Israeli gunfire as they awaited humanitarian aid in northern Gaza, raising new concerns over the humanitarian crisis in the region.
At least 30 Palestinians lost their lives due to Israeli gunfire while waiting for humanitarian assistance in northern Gaza on Wednesday, as reported by the Hamas-run civil defense agency. Alongside the fatalities, about 300 others sustained injuries during the violent event. An Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) spokesperson claimed they fired "warning shots" to disperse a crowd gathered around aid trucks situated 3 kilometers southwest from the Zikim crossing. The IDF asserted they were unaware of any casualties, while the civil defense spokesperson indicated the incident is under investigation.
Mohammed Abu Salmiya, director of al-Shifa Hospital in Gaza City, confirmed the arrival of 35 deceased individuals to the facility. Subsequent reports from the hospital suggested the death toll could be as high as 48, according to the Associated Press. Additionally, six more individuals were reported killed near a Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF) aid distribution center in Rafah, although the GHF refuted claims of any killings occurring at their site.
The IDF insisted that the gathering included individuals it deemed a potential threat, prompting the warning shots fired at a significant distance from the aid distribution center. Official statements from the military noted a discrepancy between reported casualties and their own gathered intelligence.
The United Nations human rights office highlighted that over 1,000 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli forces while trying to access food aid since late May. The Hamas-run health ministry has provided reports indicating that malnutrition has claimed the lives of over 150 individuals since the Israel-Hamas conflict escalated in 2023, including 89 children.
In light of the dire situation, a group of global food security experts, supported by the UN, has warned that a "worst-case scenario of famine" is currently manifesting in Gaza. Despite Israel announcing "tactical pauses" in military operations for aid access, the UN Secretary General, Antonio Guterres, emphasized that the current slow flow of aid must be amplified significantly. He stated that resources such as food, water, medicine, and fuel should be allowed unfettered entry into Gaza.
In a related development, US Special Envoy Steve Witkoff is set to visit Israel to discuss the ongoing humanitarian crisis. Meanwhile, Canada is joining France and the UK in advancing plans to recognize a Palestinian state at the UN General Assembly in September, marking a significant diplomatic shift among G7 nations. Since the onset of Israel's military campaign resulting from the Hamas-led attack on October 7, 2023, the toll has reportedly surpassed 60,000 Palestinian deaths, including over 18,000 children and nearly 10,000 women.
