An alarming surge in casualties in Gaza has been reported, with over 30 Palestinians killed by Israeli fire while waiting for aid. The UN and humanitarian agencies warn that the situation is reaching catastrophic levels, as nearly 1,000 Palestinians have perished seeking food assistance since May.
Rising Humanitarian Crisis: Over 30 Lives Lost in Gaza Amid Aid Wait
Rising Humanitarian Crisis: Over 30 Lives Lost in Gaza Amid Aid Wait
Reports reveal at least 30 Palestinians were killed by Israeli fire while waiting for humanitarian assistance in Gaza, highlighting a severe escalation in the ongoing humanitarian crisis.
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In a tragic turn for the humanitarian crisis unfolding in Gaza, at least 30 individuals lost their lives due to Israeli gunfire while queuing for aid on Wednesday, reports the Hamas-run civil defence agency. This incident occurred in the northern region of Gaza, resulting in around 300 additional injuries among those present.
Israeli authorities stated that they were still investigating the incident, with the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) claiming they discharged "warning shots" as a warning to a large crowd gathering near aid trucks. The IDF maintained that they were "not aware" of any casualties at the time. Mohammed Abu Salmiya, director of al-Shifa Hospital, conveyed to AFP that 35 bodies were received shortly after the event, later updated numbers suggesting the toll might be at least 48.
In a separate incident, six more individuals were reportedly killed near a Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF) aid distribution center. However, GHF officials refuted the claims of any fatalities occurring at their locations. The Israeli military asserted that the incident involved suspected individuals and that shots were fired at a distance from the aid center.
According to the United Nations human rights office, over 1,000 Palestinians have died while attempting to access humanitarian food supplies since late May. This statistic is compounded by alarming rates of malnutrition, with reports indicating more than 150 people, including 89 children, have succumbed to starvation since the onset of the Israel-Hamas conflict in 2023.
UN-backed food security experts have raised grave alarms, warning that “the worst-case scenario of famine is currently playing out” in Gaza, despite Israel's attempts to introduce "tactical pauses" for aid entry. Contrarily, both European nations and the UN dispute Israel's claims that there are no hindrances on aid access.
UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres has expressed the urgency of amplifying aid flows into Gaza, stressing that food, water, and medical supplies must be unimpeded. "This nightmare must end," he stated.
Amidst this turmoil, U.S. Special Envoy Steve Witkoff is set to visit Israel to assess the deteriorating humanitarian landscape in Gaza. His visit follows assurances from Canada that it would recognize a Palestinian state at the upcoming UN General Assembly, marking a significant shift as another G7 nation aligns with similar commitments made by France and the UK.
In total, figures released by the Hamas-run health ministry indicate over 60,000 casualties have occurred during the Israeli military's campaign since October 2023, including a staggering number of women and children, further compounding the urgency for humanitarian intervention and support in the region. The violence is rooted in the aftermath of a Hamas-led attack that killed approximately 1,200 Israelis on October 7, 2023, which has sparked ongoing military operations into Gaza.
In a tragic turn for the humanitarian crisis unfolding in Gaza, at least 30 individuals lost their lives due to Israeli gunfire while queuing for aid on Wednesday, reports the Hamas-run civil defence agency. This incident occurred in the northern region of Gaza, resulting in around 300 additional injuries among those present.
Israeli authorities stated that they were still investigating the incident, with the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) claiming they discharged "warning shots" as a warning to a large crowd gathering near aid trucks. The IDF maintained that they were "not aware" of any casualties at the time. Mohammed Abu Salmiya, director of al-Shifa Hospital, conveyed to AFP that 35 bodies were received shortly after the event, later updated numbers suggesting the toll might be at least 48.
In a separate incident, six more individuals were reportedly killed near a Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF) aid distribution center. However, GHF officials refuted the claims of any fatalities occurring at their locations. The Israeli military asserted that the incident involved suspected individuals and that shots were fired at a distance from the aid center.
According to the United Nations human rights office, over 1,000 Palestinians have died while attempting to access humanitarian food supplies since late May. This statistic is compounded by alarming rates of malnutrition, with reports indicating more than 150 people, including 89 children, have succumbed to starvation since the onset of the Israel-Hamas conflict in 2023.
UN-backed food security experts have raised grave alarms, warning that “the worst-case scenario of famine is currently playing out” in Gaza, despite Israel's attempts to introduce "tactical pauses" for aid entry. Contrarily, both European nations and the UN dispute Israel's claims that there are no hindrances on aid access.
UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres has expressed the urgency of amplifying aid flows into Gaza, stressing that food, water, and medical supplies must be unimpeded. "This nightmare must end," he stated.
Amidst this turmoil, U.S. Special Envoy Steve Witkoff is set to visit Israel to assess the deteriorating humanitarian landscape in Gaza. His visit follows assurances from Canada that it would recognize a Palestinian state at the upcoming UN General Assembly, marking a significant shift as another G7 nation aligns with similar commitments made by France and the UK.
In total, figures released by the Hamas-run health ministry indicate over 60,000 casualties have occurred during the Israeli military's campaign since October 2023, including a staggering number of women and children, further compounding the urgency for humanitarian intervention and support in the region. The violence is rooted in the aftermath of a Hamas-led attack that killed approximately 1,200 Israelis on October 7, 2023, which has sparked ongoing military operations into Gaza.
