Escalating Violence Claims Lives in Gaza Amid Humanitarian Crisis
At least eight Palestinians were killed on Saturday in the Gaza Strip due to Israeli gunfire while attempting to obtain food and humanitarian aid, according to reports from local hospitals. This tragic incident underscores the increasing danger faced by civilians in a region grappling with severe humanitarian needs, reports 24brussels.
Sources from Al Awda hospital in Nuseirat confirmed that six individuals, including a child, lost their lives as they approached a food distribution point operated by the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF) in the Wadi Gaza area. Additionally, two others, one of whom was a woman, were killed by Israeli fire near an aid distribution center in northern Rafah, as reported by the Naser Medical Center in Khan Younis.
The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) operates a field hospital in Rafah and reported treating over 4,500 gunshot wound victims since May 27. The organization provides essential medical services with the backing of Israel and the United States. “It is unacceptable that people are dying and getting injured while trying to feed their families,” the ICRC stated, emphasizing that most victims were targeted while moving towards food distribution sites.
In a recent announcement, the Palestinian Ministry of Health indicated an alarming rise in famine-related deaths, totaling 201 since the outbreak of violence, with 98 of those being children. These distressing figures highlight the dire situation as civilians struggle to access basic necessities.
Israeli authorities have acknowledged firing “warning shots” at groups of Palestinians near aid centers situated within zones under their control, raising questions about the rules of engagement in such volatile circumstances. Since late May, over 1,700 individuals have died in Gaza while seeking humanitarian assistance, either at GHF distribution points or along routes used by the limited number of UN aid trucks permitted entry by Israel.
The ongoing violence and humanitarian crisis in Gaza continue to escalate, drawing international attention and raising urgent calls for a reassessment of the tactics employed in this protracted conflict.
