Gaza’s civil defense agency has reported a tragic escalation, confirming that Israeli attacks have claimed the lives of at least ten individuals across the Palestinian territory.
- Advertisement -
“Five martyrs and dozens of wounded were brought to Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis after the (Israeli) occupation forces opened fire on civilians at around 6 AM,” shared Mahmoud Bassal, the agency’s spokesman. “This kind of violence disrupts lives and deepens the cycle of grief.”
Witnesses, along with Mr. Bassal, noted that the civilians were on their way to an aid distribution center located west of Rafah in southern Gaza. This site is managed by the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), a group that has received backing from both U.S. and Israeli sources but has faced criticism from the United Nations and various humanitarian agencies.
In a visible show of support, Palestinians were seen walking along a road to collect humanitarian aid packages from the GHF in Rafah. However, the United Nations has opted not to engage with the GHF due to concerns about its practices and the question of neutrality.
Describing the chaotic scene, witness Abdallah Nour al-Din recounted, “Around 4:30 AM, people began to gather in the Al-Alam area of Rafah. After about an hour and a half, hundreds moved toward the site, prompting the army to open fire.” His account underscores the fragility of life amid ongoing conflict.
In response to the violence, the GHF claimed in a statement that there were no incidents or injuries reported “at any of our three sites” that day. They stated that they had distributed over a million meals, including more than 600,000 through a trial of “direct to community distribution” via local leaders.
However, AFP photographers captured images of Palestinians leaving a GHF facility on foot, carrying boxes emblazoned with the group’s logo, indicating a desperate need for aid.
Outside Nasser Hospital, footage from AFPTV revealed mourners gathered, their heartbreak palpable as they wept over blood-stained body bags. “I can’t see you like this,” Lin al-Daghma lamented, standing by her father’s body. She echoed the sentiments of others who spoke of the difficulty in securing food aid after more than two months under a total Israeli blockade of Gaza.
The UN has consistently sounded the alarm about the looming threat of famine in Gaza. Tragically, the civil defense agency has reported that dozens have lost their lives near GHF distribution points since late May.
In a further indication of the ongoing violence, Mr. Bassal reported that another five individuals, including two young girls, were killed in an Israeli strike that hit a tent in the Al-Mawasi displaced persons camp in southern Gaza. Israel’s army has accused Mr. Bassal of having ties to Hamas, a claim he has firmly denied, stating, “I do not work for any military organization. Our mission is guided by international law.”
The health ministry in Gaza revealed that the death toll from Israel’s military actions in Gaza has tragically escalated to 54,880, a figure the UN has deemed credible. These statistics only underscore the urgency of humanitarian efforts.
In related developments, the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) announced that they had located and identified the body of Mohammed Sinwar, who is believed to be the leader of Hamas in Gaza. “In a targeted operation of the IDF, it is now confirmed that the body of Mohammed Sinwar was located in the underground tunnel route beneath the European Hospital in Khan Younis,” the army stated.
This discovery follows claims that Sinwar was “eliminated,” along with several other members of the militant group, on May 13. Brigadier General Effie Defrin stated, “We have confirmed through DNA checks that the body belongs to Mohammed Sinwar.” His demise adds another layer to the ongoing tension in the region.
Mohammed Sinwar’s older brother, Yahya Sinwar, has been previously accused by Israel of orchestrating the attacks on October 7, 2023. Experts believe that Mohammed Sinwar likely assumed leadership of Hamas’s armed wing, the Ezzedine al-Qassam Brigades, following the death of its previous head.
With the deaths of several Hamas leaders since the onset of the conflict in October, Mohammed Sinwar’s role has become increasingly critical in negotiations and managing the group’s armed wing. The future remains uncertain as the humanitarian crisis continues to deepen.
Edited By Ali Musa
Axadle Times International–Monitoring.
