Amid widespread devastation in Gaza, eleven individuals lost their lives while waiting for humanitarian assistance. The incident, attributed to Israeli gunfire, adds to a growing death toll amid the conflict. The humanitarian crisis intensifies as organizations warn of catastrophic hunger levels among the population.
Death Toll Rises to Eleven in Gaza as Aid Seekers Targeted by Israeli Fire
Death Toll Rises to Eleven in Gaza as Aid Seekers Targeted by Israeli Fire
Tensions escalate in Gaza as a tragic incident claims the lives of eleven Palestinians seeking aid, amidst ongoing Israeli military operations.
In Gaza City, a somber atmosphere envelops the streets as funerals were held for seven individuals killed while seeking assistance. Rescuers and medics report that eleven Palestinians were among at least 33 people killed by Israeli gunfire and air strikes on Wednesday. A spokesman for the Hamas-run civil defence agency stated that the Israeli forces "opened fire and launched several shells" at thousands of desperate individuals queued for vital food supplies along Salah al-Din Road.
The Israeli military responded, claiming their troops fired warning shots when a group approached in a manner perceived as a potential threat, insisting they were not aware of any resulting injuries. Additionally, nineteen other casualties were reported from three Israeli air strikes across northern and southern Gaza, with eight fatalities occurring when a residential home was hit in the Zeitoun area.
Gaza's Hamas-run health ministry indicated on Wednesday afternoon that at least 140 Palestinians had been killed over the previous 24 hours. This includes a harrowing report from Tuesday when 51 individuals died while waiting for aid in Khan Younis, with estimates by health organizations pushing the death toll above 60. Eyewitness accounts reveal that Israeli tanks and drones opened fire as people gathered near community centers and warehouses belonging to the UN's World Food Programme.
In the wake of this tragedy, a local journalist shared a grim account from a family attempting to gather flour for basic sustenance. Umm Fida Masoud recounted the moment her son returned injured after attempting to procure a bag of flour. Another journalist captured footage of a family member exulting over the dangerous retrieval of essential supplies.
Since the establishment of the US-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF) on May 26, nearly 400 people have been killed while attempting to secure aid. The GHF was created to challenge the UN's role in aid distribution, which has sparked controversy among various humanitarian groups and raised concerns regarding its adherence to principles of neutrality and independence.
The UN and numerous aid organizations oppose the GHF's initiative, warning that it jeopardizes humanitarian efforts and exacerbates the already critical hunger crisis due to an extensive Israeli blockade. The World Food Programme highlighted that recent distributions fell dramatically short of Gaza's staggering needs, calling for a massive scale-up in aid efforts.
On a distressing note, the Israeli military's campaign continues to retaliate against Hamas following the attack on southern Israel on October 7, which led to hundreds of casualties. The ongoing violence has resulted in at least 55,637 fatalities in Gaza, underscoring the urgent need for humanitarian intervention and support.
The Israeli military responded, claiming their troops fired warning shots when a group approached in a manner perceived as a potential threat, insisting they were not aware of any resulting injuries. Additionally, nineteen other casualties were reported from three Israeli air strikes across northern and southern Gaza, with eight fatalities occurring when a residential home was hit in the Zeitoun area.
Gaza's Hamas-run health ministry indicated on Wednesday afternoon that at least 140 Palestinians had been killed over the previous 24 hours. This includes a harrowing report from Tuesday when 51 individuals died while waiting for aid in Khan Younis, with estimates by health organizations pushing the death toll above 60. Eyewitness accounts reveal that Israeli tanks and drones opened fire as people gathered near community centers and warehouses belonging to the UN's World Food Programme.
In the wake of this tragedy, a local journalist shared a grim account from a family attempting to gather flour for basic sustenance. Umm Fida Masoud recounted the moment her son returned injured after attempting to procure a bag of flour. Another journalist captured footage of a family member exulting over the dangerous retrieval of essential supplies.
Since the establishment of the US-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF) on May 26, nearly 400 people have been killed while attempting to secure aid. The GHF was created to challenge the UN's role in aid distribution, which has sparked controversy among various humanitarian groups and raised concerns regarding its adherence to principles of neutrality and independence.
The UN and numerous aid organizations oppose the GHF's initiative, warning that it jeopardizes humanitarian efforts and exacerbates the already critical hunger crisis due to an extensive Israeli blockade. The World Food Programme highlighted that recent distributions fell dramatically short of Gaza's staggering needs, calling for a massive scale-up in aid efforts.
On a distressing note, the Israeli military's campaign continues to retaliate against Hamas following the attack on southern Israel on October 7, which led to hundreds of casualties. The ongoing violence has resulted in at least 55,637 fatalities in Gaza, underscoring the urgent need for humanitarian intervention and support.
