On Sunday, Israeli gunfire killed at least 67 Palestinians who were waiting for aid in northern Gaza, according to the Gaza Health Ministry. The victims were part of a large crowd gathered near U.N. aid trucks as they waited for food and supplies. In addition to those killed, dozens more were reported injured during the incident, marking one of the highest death tolls from similar incidents. Just a day earlier, 36 people had died in a similar attack. Another six individuals were killed near a separate aid site in southern Gaza, the Ministry said.
The Israeli military responded by stating that its forces had fired warning shots at the crowd in an effort to remove what it called “an immediate threat.” The military’s initial reports claimed that the casualty figures may have been inflated, stressing that humanitarian aid trucks were not intentionally targeted during the attack.
Contents
U.N. and Humanitarian Agencies React
The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) condemned the violence against civilians, reiterating that “any violence involving civilians seeking humanitarian aid is completely unacceptable.” A WFP convoy of 25 trucks carrying vital food aid came under fire shortly after entering Gaza, as the trucks encountered large, desperate crowds. Humanitarian workers reported that these attacks only worsened the ongoing crisis in Gaza, where food is rapidly becoming scarce.
Hamas officials also condemned the attack, expressing anger over the mounting casualties and the worsening hunger crisis in Gaza. They warned that these deaths could significantly hinder ceasefire discussions taking place in Qatar. In total, health authorities reported that 90 people died across Gaza on Sunday, including those killed by Israeli gunfire and airstrikes.
Displaced Gazans Forced to Evacuate Amid Airstrikes
As Israeli forces dropped leaflets warning of new evacuations in the Deir al-Balah area of central Gaza, residents began fleeing their homes. The region, which houses hundreds of thousands of displaced Gazans, was hit by Israeli airstrikes that destroyed three homes. Despite Israel’s military claiming that it had not yet entered these districts, residents feared further escalation. Israel’s forces have so far refrained from entering these areas due to the belief that Hamas may be holding hostages there.
At least 20 of the remaining 50 hostages held by Hamas are believed to still be alive, but their fate remains uncertain, heightening concerns among their families.
Accelerating Starvation Crisis in Gaza
The situation in Gaza has reached a critical point. Palestinian health officials warned that hundreds of people are at imminent risk of dying from hunger as hospitals report a sharp increase in patients suffering from dizziness, exhaustion, and malnutrition. The Gaza Health Ministry, controlled by Hamas, said it was urgent to address the hunger crisis before more lives are lost.
Food scarcity has reached dire levels, and residents report difficulty in obtaining essential items like flour. At least 71 children have died of malnutrition during the ongoing war, with another 60,000 children showing signs of malnutrition. Health authorities also reported that 18 people have died from hunger within the past 24 hours. With food prices skyrocketing, the majority of Gaza’s population can no longer afford basic meals.
Ziad, a nurse in Gaza, shared his painful experience: “As a father, I wake up in the early morning to look for food, for even a loaf of bread for my five children, but all in vain. People who didn’t die of bombs will die of hunger. We want an end to this war now, a truce, even for two months.”
United Nations and U.N. Refugee Agency Demand Action
The U.N. Refugee Agency (UNRWA), responsible for assisting Palestinians, has demanded that Israel allow more aid trucks to enter Gaza. The agency has stated that it currently holds enough food to sustain Gaza’s population for over three months, but it remains blocked from entry. The Israeli military, however, reiterated that it views the transfer of humanitarian aid as a top priority and is working with the international community to facilitate it.
Truce Talks and the Humanitarian Crisis
While talks between Israel and Hamas continue in Doha in an effort to broker a truce and resolve the hostage situation, there has been little progress. The war began on October 7, 2023, when Hamas militants stormed Israel, killing over 1,200 people and taking 251 hostages. Since then, the Israeli military campaign in Gaza has resulted in more than 58,000 Palestinian deaths and displaced nearly the entire population, further plunging the region into a severe humanitarian crisis.
Gaza’s War Continues as Death Toll Rises
The conflict in Gaza shows no sign of easing as the humanitarian situation worsens. The increasing death toll, displacement, and accelerating starvation are becoming critical threats to Gaza’s population. With the violence showing no immediate signs of stopping, international pressure for a ceasefire continues to mount, but for now, the people of Gaza remain caught in the crossfire.
