DEIR AL-BALAH, Gaza Strip (AP) In a devastating turn of events, Gaza experienced its deadliest day for aid-seekers amid an ongoing war, with at least 85 Palestinians killed while attempting to access food on Sunday, according to the territory's Health Ministry.
The escalation of violence came as the Israeli military issued new evacuation orders for parts of central Gaza, an area largely unaffected by ground troop operations and a critical location for many international organizations delivering aid. Several groups reported being instructed to evacuate immediately, although there was no immediate comment from Israeli officials.
The most significant loss of life occurred in northern Gaza, where desperate conditions prevailed. Zaher al-Waheidi, head of the Health Ministry's records department, stated that at least 79 Palestinians died while trying to receive aid entering through the Zikim crossing with Israel. The U.N. World Food Program confirmed that 25 trucks filled with aid had arrived for "starving communities" but were met with overwhelming crowds.
A U.N. official, wishing to remain anonymous, disclosed that Israeli forces opened fire on the crowds as they attempted to take food from the convoy. Footage collected by the U.N. and shared with news outlets depicted scenes of panic and chaos, with Palestinian men fleeing amidst automatic gunfire.
Ehab Al-Zei, a witness who had been waiting for flour, recounted a harrowing experience: "Suddenly, tanks surrounded us and trapped us as gunshots and strikes rained down. We were trapped for around two hours. I will never go back again. Let us die of hunger, it's better." Meanwhile, Nafiz Al-Najjar, another victim of the violence, described how tanks and drones randomly targeted individuals, resulting in the deaths of his cousin and others in the crowd.
In response to the violence, Israel's military claimed that its soldiers fired upon a large gathering of Palestinians who posed a potential threat, acknowledging some casualties but disputing the high numbers reported by Gaza officials. The military accused Hamas militants of inciting chaos, while hospitals reported that over 150 people had been wounded, with many in critical condition.
In addition to the fatalities in northern Gaza, Israeli gunfire claimed an additional six lives in the Shakoush area, located north of the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, a U.S.- and Israel-backed initiative in southern Rafah. Reports indicated that numerous individuals have been killed while trying to access aid distribution sites managed by various organizations.
Separately, seven Palestinians, including a 5-year-old boy, were reported dead while sheltering in tents in Khan Younis, according to the Kuwait Specialized Field Hospital, which treated the victims. The growing violence has exacerbated an already dire humanitarian situation in Gaza, where relocation orders have fragmented access between cities like Deir al-Balah, Rafah, and Khan Younis.
Residents, shocked by the evacuation orders for central Deir al-Balah, expressed their concerns about where they would find refuge. "All of Rafah is under evacuation, and now you have decided that half of Deir al-Balah is under evacuation. Where will we move to?" asked local resident Hassan Abu Azab as families hastily packed their belongings amidst distant explosions and sirens.
The United Nations is communicating with Israeli authorities to determine if U.N. facilities in southwestern Deir al-Balah are included in the evacuation orders, as previous instances often spared these locations from such directives. Humanitarian organizations, including Medical Aid for Palestinians, have reported forced evacuations, with numerous clinics shuttered due to the crisis.
Additionally, military spokesman Avichay Adraee urged residents to move to Muwasi, a makeshift camp with limited resources, designated as a humanitarian zone. This announcement coincided with ongoing ceasefire talks between Israel and Hamas in Qatar. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has claimed that intensified military action will exert pressure on Hamas during negotiations.
As the conflict toll continues to rise, Gaza's population of over 2 million people finds itself in a catastrophic humanitarian crisis, largely reliant on the limited aid allowed into the territory. Ambulances in Gaza's major hospitals blared alarms simultaneously on Sunday as the desperation for food and medical supplies mounts. The Health Ministry shared images of doctors holding signs denouncing the lack of nutrition for children and essential medications.
The conflict was ignited when Hamas militants attacked southern Israel on October 7, 2023, resulting in the deaths of approximately 1,200 individuals and around 251 hostages taken, with 50 believed to remain in Gaza, though less than half are thought to be alive. As of now, Israeli military actions have resulted in the deaths of over 58,800 Palestinians, with reports asserting that more than half of these casualties are women and children, according to Gaza's Health Ministry.
The situation remains precarious, with the Hostages Family Forum, an organization representing families of hostages, condemning the new evacuation orders and demanding clarity from Israeli leaders regarding their strategy in central Gaza. Tensions continue to mount, as many Israelis also call for an end to the conflict and the safe return of hostages.
