Tragic Toll: 12 Palestinians Lose Lives While Awaiting Aid in Gaza, Report Medics

At least 12 Palestinians lost their lives while seeking aid in central Gaza, according to medics and rescuers. This tragic event happened near a distribution site managed by the US- and Israeli-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF) on Thursday.

The GHF has denied any incidents occurring near its location. Meanwhile, the Israeli military claimed that "suspects" got too close to its forces at Netzarim, prompting them to fire warning shots. They stated they were unaware of any casualties.

This incident marks yet another occurrence in nearly daily shootings around aid distribution points in Gaza. Since late May, during the GHF’s takeover of aid distribution, hundreds of Palestinians have been killed. Notably, most of these deaths stem from clashes over aid access rather than targeted strikes against Hamas.

On Thursday, Gaza’s health ministry reported fatalities related to aid-seeking activities. The Hamas-run civil defense agency confirmed that a group was shot near Netzarim, where large crowds gather daily for assistance. Civil defense official Mohammad al-Mughayyir stated that there were at least 15 victims and around 60 injuries. However, many figures remain unverified due to the restrictions on international news organizations like the BBC from accessing Gaza.

Witness Bassam Abu Shaar described the chaos, noting that thousands were present at the GHF distribution site when Israeli forces began firing around 1 AM. He lamented the inability of many people to escape or help others amid the chaos.

In response to the ongoing violence, Hamas has urged the UN and humanitarian agencies to take the lead on aid distribution, rejecting the GHF’s approach. The UN and many aid organizations have resisted cooperating with this new system, claiming it undermines principles of neutrality and independence. They also warn that the people of Gaza are in dire need due to severe hunger, stemming from an 11-week Israeli blockade that was slightly eased a month ago.

The Israeli government maintains that GHF’s approach is meant to ensure aid does not fall into the hands of Hamas—a claim that Hamas denies.

In other alarming developments, civil defense teams in Gaza reported recovering numerous bodies following Israeli shelling, which included an incident in Jabalia refugee camp where a tent sheltering displaced individuals was struck, killing seven members of the Asaliya family.

This military campaign began after the Hamas-led attack on southern Israel on October 7, 2023. That attack resulted in approximately 1,200 Israeli deaths and 251 hostages. Since then, at least 55,637 people have died in Gaza, according to the local health ministry.

For deeper understanding, experts emphasize the urgent need for a humanitarian response that respects the realities on the ground. According to a recent report by the UN, over 80% of Gaza’s population now relies on aid, a situation that underscores the importance of addressing both immediate needs and the long-term conflict roots.

For further statistics and insights, you can view the UN report on humanitarian needs in Gaza.

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