Credited from: BBC
Strikes by Israeli forces have resulted in at least 60 Palestinian fatalities, primarily targeting civilian gatherings seeking humanitarian aid near distribution centers. The latest casualties included 31 aid seekers killed in two incidents; 23 died near Al-Shohada Junction, and 26 were reported dead in the central Netzarim area, a known conflict zone, according to both BBC and AA.
Gaza's civil defense agency documented widespread casualties, detailing that many of those killed were individuals waiting to access aid during a severe food shortage exacerbated by the Israeli blockade. Reports indicate that, since late May, over 450 people have lost their lives while attempting to receive aid, with the humanitarian situation continuing to deteriorate, as highlighted by Dawn and Al Jazeera.
Eyewitness accounts depict harrowing scenes of destruction and fear as civilians approach aid sites, described by individuals as "the point of death," indicating dire safety concerns amidst ongoing military engagements. Al-Hobi, a displaced Palestinian, poignantly expressed that the atmosphere around aid distribution points mimics entering a battleground, as individuals fear for their lives despite their desperation for food, as reported by Middle East Eye and Al Jazeera.
The Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), the primary organization distributing aid in the enclave, has faced heavy criticism for its operational methods, being accused of contributing to the dangerous environment for aid seekers. Observers and UN agencies have expressed concerns that the GHF's operations facilitate Israeli military objectives rather than humanitarian needs, as indicated by several reports from Le Monde and Channel News Asia.
With escalating casualties and rising tensions, calls for international intervention and accountability intensify, highlighting the need for urgent humanitarian assistance in Gaza as concerns of famine loom large, according to Middle East Eye and Dawn.