GAZA – At least 67 people have been killed while waiting for humanitarian aid in northern Gaza, according to the Hamas-run health ministry in the territory. The incident, which occurred near UN aid lorries, has intensified concerns over the dire humanitarian situation and civilian safety in the besieged Strip.
The UN World Food Programme (WFP) confirmed that its 25-truck convoy “encountered massive crowds of hungry civilians which came under gunfire” shortly after crossing from Israel and clearing checkpoints.
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) stated it had “fired warning shots” to disperse what it described as “an immediate threat” and disputed the number of reported deaths.
On Saturday, the health ministry warned of increasing “extreme hunger” across Gaza, noting a rising number of people arriving at medical facilities “in a state of extreme exhaustion and fatigue.” The ministry cautioned that “hundreds of people whose bodies have wasted away are at risk of imminent death due to hunger.” The United Nations has also previously stated that civilians in Gaza are starving and called for an urgent influx of essential goods. On Sunday, the ministry reported that 18 deaths had been recorded “due to famine” in the preceding 24 hours.
Additionally, the ministry reported that six more people were killed while seeking aid elsewhere in Gaza, with over 150 injured, some critically. Health authorities stated that a total of 88 people had been killed by Israeli gunfire and air strikes across Gaza on Sunday.
Many casualties from northern Gaza were transported to Shifa hospital in Gaza City. Dr. Hassan al-Shaer, the medical director, told BBC Arabic on Sunday that the facility was “overwhelmed” and redirecting the wounded to other field hospitals. Outside the hospital, one woman told BBC Arabic that “the whole population is dying,” adding, “Children are dying of hunger because they have nothing to eat. People are surviving on water and salt… just water and salt.”
There have been almost daily reports of Palestinians being killed while attempting to access food supplies since late May. On Saturday, the ministry reported that at least 32 people were killed by Israeli gunfire near two aid distribution points in southern Gaza. Many of these incidents have occurred near sites operated by the US and Israel-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), which uses private security contractors for aid distribution from Israeli military zones, though some have also taken place near UN-delivered aid.
Add Comment