Residents in Gaza are enduring intense Israeli gunfire and shelling as Israel’s military confirms an escalation in its operations. This surge in violence occurs just days before Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s planned visit to Washington.
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The escalation in attacks follows a week filled with increasing calls for a ceasefire. Among the voices urging for a renewed effort to halt the conflict is US President Donald Trump, who is set to meet with Netanyahu next week. He emphasized the need for a new agreement to bring the war to a close and secure the release of hostages still held in Gaza.
According to Gaza’s civil defense agency, Israeli forces have claimed the lives of at least 20 individuals today alone.
Raafat Halles, a 39-year-old resident from the Shujaiya district of Gaza City, shared, “Air strikes and shelling have intensified over the past week,” noting the advancing presence of tanks. His account resonates with many in the area facing similar harrowing experiences.
Another resident, 44-year-old Amer Daloul, illustrated the gravity of the situation, stating that he and his family were forced to flee their makeshift tent at dawn due to “heavy and random gunfire and shelling.” The chaotic scene was further compounded by reports of Israeli tanks positioned at the Gaza border while children sifted through the debris of demolished homes.
A wave of photographs captured the somber reality, showing Palestinians mourning loved ones at Al-Shifa Hospital and Al-Aqsa Hospital in Deir el-Balah, central Gaza.
Fatalities Among Aid Seekers
Tragically, reports have emerged of civilians being killed near aid distribution sites in central and southern Gaza amidst ongoing military actions. Civil defense spokesman Mahmud Bassal stated that eight people lost their lives while attempting to secure food. “One person was killed, and 50 were injured as tanks and drones opened fire on crowds waiting to receive aid near the Wadi Gaza Bridge,” he explained.
The civil defense agency confirmed an additional six fatalities nearby and reported further casualties at another aid center in Rafah. In response, the Israeli military stated that its forces had “fired warning shots to distance suspects who approached the troops,” maintaining they were unaware of any injuries and promising to review the incidents.
In the Rafah incident, military sources asserted the shots were fired from “hundreds of meters away from the aid distribution site,” which was not operational at the time. Mr. Bassal later indicated that an airstrike in front of a school sheltering displaced individuals had further increased the death toll to 20.
Call for a Return to UN-Led Aid Initiatives
A coalition of 169 aid organizations has recently advocated for the cessation of what they describe as a “deadly” new aid distribution scheme backed by the US and Israel. They argue that this initiative is leading to unnecessary civilian casualties, forcing desperate individuals to “trek for hours through dangerous terrain and active conflict zones, only to face a violent, chaotic race” for basic necessities.
These groups are urging a return to the UN-led aid mechanism that was in place until March, when Israel imposed a full blockade on humanitarian assistance in Gaza amid stalled truce negotiations with Hamas. Meanwhile, the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), responsible for administering the new scheme, has refuted claims linking its operations to deaths of aid seekers.
Upcoming Diplomatic Efforts
Amid escalating tensions, Netanyahu has announced his upcoming visit to meet with President Trump and senior US security officials. This meeting comes as the international community increasingly pressures for a resolution to over 20 months of devastating conflict in Gaza.
Trump commented on the impending meeting, vowing to take a “very firm” stance on ending the war during the discussions on July 7. “But he (Netanyahu) wants it too… He wants to end it too,” the US President noted, reflecting a shared desire for peace.
Meanwhile, Hamas official Taher al-Nunu stated that the group is “ready to agree to any proposal if it will lead to an end to the war and a permanent ceasefire and a complete withdrawal of occupation forces.” He lamented, however, that “so far, there has been no breakthrough.”
Edited By Ali Musa
Axadle Times International – Monitoring.
