As reported by the civil defense agency in Gaza, Israeli fire has tragically taken the lives of at least 72 Palestinians, including 21 individuals who were awaiting aid near a distribution site.
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Mahmud Bassal, a spokesman for the civil defense, stated, “The death toll has risen to 72 due to the ongoing Israeli bombardment in the Gaza Strip since dawn today—21 of them were waiting for aid.” This highlights the immense danger that civilians face in their struggle for basic necessities.
Throughout the night, thousands of individuals gathered in central Gaza’s Netzarim corridor, hopeful for much-needed assistance at a U.S. and Israeli-backed distribution site. Witness accounts reveal harrowing scenes: “They started shooting at us. The gunfire intensified from tanks, aircraft, and quadcopter bombs,” one man recounted.
Another individual, deeply shaken by the events, shared, “We couldn’t help them or even escape ourselves.” Such experiences underline the dire situation faced by many in the region.
According to Mr. Mughayyir, the casualties have been taken to Al-Awda and Al-Aqsa hospitals located in northern and central Gaza, respectively. The ongoing crisis has reached alarming heights, with the United Nations reporting that dozens of Palestinians have lost their lives in recent weeks while trying to access aid distribution points amid conditions resembling famine.
In northern Gaza, a plume of smoke billows above Jabalia following an Israeli strike, further exacerbating the humanitarian disaster.
Israeli restrictions on media access in Gaza complicate independent verification of casualty counts and other details provided by the civil defense agency. In early March, the Israeli government imposed a blockade on aid to the territory, easing restrictions only partially in late May.
Though the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation began distribution efforts after the blockade was relaxed, its operations faced challenges characterized by chaotic scenes. Many UN agencies and significant aid groups have opted not to cooperate with this foundation, citing concerns that it may serve Israeli military objectives.
On a recent day, Israeli tank shellfire claimed at least 51 lives in Khan Younis, where residents awaited aid trucks, according to the territory’s health ministry. Eyewitnesses stated that Israeli tanks targeted crowds of desperate Palestinians along the main eastern road, resulting in over 200 injuries, with at least 20 individuals in critical condition.
Just a day earlier, local health officials reported that Israeli gunfire killed at least 23 people as they approached a GHF aid distribution site in Rafah. In total, the health ministry has noted that approximately 300 Palestinians have lost their lives in recent weeks while trying to access crucial aid amidst extraordinary hardships.
“The situation is critical, and immediate action is required to prevent further loss of life,” a local health official urged, reinforcing the urgent need for humanitarian intervention.
Edited By Ali Musa
Axadle Times International–Monitoring.
