Tragic Hunger Crisis in Gaza: Dozens Die While Searching for Food, Amid Witkoff’s Arrival in Israel

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Over 50 Palestinians lost their lives and around 400 were injured while waiting for food near the Zikim crossing in northern Gaza. This tragic event highlights the severe humanitarian crisis unfolding in the region. Footage shows the wounded being transported to al-Shifa hospital in Gaza City.

Local authorities, including Hamas’s Civil Defence agency, claim Israeli forces fired upon crowds around aid trucks. In contrast, the Israeli military stated they only discharged warning shots and initially reported no casualties.

U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff has arrived in Israel for discussions with officials on punitive actions against Hamas. These talks have gained urgency as negotiations for a ceasefire and the release of hostages have stalled.

Witkoff’s planned visit to aid distribution sites run by the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF) comes amid international outrage over the dire conditions in Gaza. As of Wednesday, the Hamas-run health ministry reported seven additional deaths due to malnutrition, raising the total since the conflict began to 154.

A recent report from UN food security experts warns that a “worst-case scenario of famine” is emerging in Gaza, affecting its 2.1 million inhabitants. They have identified man-made starvation in the territory, asserting that Israel, which controls all supply entries to Gaza, is responsible. However, Israel contends that there are no restrictions on aid and denies that starvation is occurring.

The Israeli military has implemented some measures intended to support aid distribution. These include daily “tactical pauses” in military activities and designated humanitarian corridors. Yet, the UN’s humanitarian office emphasized that these pauses are insufficient to meet the massive needs of the population.

According to Mohammed Abu Salmiya, the director of al-Shifa hospital, the facility received 54 deceased individuals and 412 injured from the Zikim incident. Reports from various hospitals indicated that dozens were affected, underscoring the escalating crisis.

With limited access to verify information, many accounts from witnesses paint a disturbing picture. One man shared a heart-wrenching story of a teenager who was killed while trying to obtain flour for his family. Another victim, Abu Taha al-Kafarneh, was an unemployed father looking to secure food for his family.

Since the GHF began operations in late May, the UN human rights office has documented over 1,050 Palestinian deaths attributed to Israeli military actions while seeking food aid. Israel accuses Hamas of fueling unrest at aid sites but maintains that their military actions are intended as warning shots, not aimed at civilians.

The GHF claims to have distributed over 98 million meals in the past two months, insisting they are ready to collaborate with UN agencies. However, the UN has expressed concerns about the safety and impartiality of GHF-operated sites.

This ongoing conflict was ignited by a Hamas-led attack on southern Israel on October 7, 2023, claiming about 1,200 lives and resulting in at least 251 hostages. Since then, Gaza has seen staggering casualties, with the territory’s health ministry reporting at least 60,138 deaths.

As the situation unfolds, the narrative remains layered with complexities, human suffering, and geopolitical tensions, reflecting a crisis that calls for urgent global attention.

For more information on ongoing humanitarian issues, see the UN’s official reports.

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