Israeli Air Strike in Deir al-Balah Claims Lives of 18 Palestinians

In Deir al-Balah, Gaza, an Israeli drone strike has killed 18 Palestinians, including members of a Hamas police force. The incident unfolded during clashes over alleged price gouging in a market, escalating already high tensions as Gaza's humanitarian crisis deepens.

At least 18 Palestinians lost their lives following an Israeli drone strike that targeted a Hamas police unit in Deir al-Balah, central Gaza, as reported by a doctor and witnesses. Eyewitness accounts detailed how Israeli drones fired upon the police dressed in civilian clothing who were enforcing price regulations against local vendors suspected of price gouging and selling looted goods from humanitarian aid trucks.

The Hamas-run Ministry of Interior condemned the air strike as "a new crime against a police unit tasked with maintaining public order". According to eyewitnesses, tensions heightened when police confronted vendors about inflated prices leading to a verbal altercation that escalated, with some vendors drawing weapons. Shortly thereafter, witnesses reported that Israeli drones launched two missiles.

The aftermath of the drone strike was chaotic, with video footage capturing shoppers in panic while bodies lay on the ground, prompting ambulances to rush to the scene. A doctor at Al-Aqsa Hospital confirmed that 18 bodies were received, and uncertainties remain regarding how many casualties were police officers.

The violent incident transpires amid ongoing hardships for civilians in Gaza, with limited access to food and frequent unrest reported at humanitarian aid distribution sites. The Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), facing accusations of violating aid distribution protocols, received an additional $30 million in funding from the U.S. on Thursday. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu accused Hamas of commandeering humanitarian aid intended for civilians, prompting him to compel military leadership to devise a quick action plan against such its tactics.

Official statements from Hamas refuted accusations of profiting from aid, asserting that there were no misappropriations, with aid distribution being managed primarily through tribal efforts. In a separate report, thousands of food parcels were distributed in Gaza City, although Hamas officials claimed their involvement was merely supervisory.

Amid the turmoil, the World Health Organization (WHO) successfully delivered a medical shipment to Gaza for the first time since March, including vital blood and plasma supplies for hospitals coping with critical shortages. This aid comes as civilian casualties continue to rise; at least 14 Palestinians were reported killed in continued military actions since midnight. Rescue teams also evacuated another 14 bodies from areas impacted by recent bombardments.

The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) indicated awareness of the high casualties, stating that an investigation is ongoing. They claimed their forces acted to dismantle Hamas strongholds, escalated further by the IDF's operations following Hamas's attack on Israel in October that reportedly left around 1,200 dead and many others taken hostage. According to Gaza’s Hamas-run health ministry, the death toll in the area since the escalation exceeds 56,259 individuals, further complicating efforts toward achieving a ceasefire and stabilizing humanitarian conditions.