Israeli forces have reportedly killed 46 individuals in Gaza as they waited for aid on Tuesday, according to the Gaza civil defense agency. This incident has drawn sharp criticism from various rights groups and UN agencies regarding the US-backed food distribution system currently in place.
Civil defense spokesman Mahmud Bassal informed AFP that the dead included 21 people killed and around 150 injured by Israeli fire near an aid point in central Gaza. Another 25 were reported killed in a separate incident in southern Gaza. Paramedic Ziad Farhat highlighted the ongoing crisis, stating, “Every day we face this scenario: martyrs, injuries, in unbearable numbers.” He added that hospitals are struggling to manage the influx of casualties.
In response to the escalating situation, Israel’s military chief, Lieutenant General Eyal Zamir, announced a renewed focus on combating Hamas to secure the release of hostages and dismantle the group’s governance in Gaza. The calls for a ceasefire from Israel’s opposition leader and families of hostages reflect a growing demand for a diplomatic resolution, urging Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to extend any ceasefire with Iran to include the Palestinian territory.
Amid the humanitarian crisis, the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), a privately run aid group, is facing increasing scrutiny. Established in late May to replace UN agencies, GHF has been criticized by UN officials, including the head of the UN Agency for Palestinian Refugees who deemed the new distribution system an “abomination.” Spokesman Thameen Al-Kheetan condemned the use of food as a weapon in Gaza, where the health ministry reported that at least 516 people had been killed and nearly 3,800 wounded while attempting to obtain food since late May.
The situation in Gaza remains dire as the territory grapples with famine-like conditions. Extensive Israeli restrictions imposed since early March have left more than two million residents struggling for basic necessities. James Elder from UNICEF highlighted that while there were originally 400 aid distribution points, this number has dwindled to just four under GHF, with supplies piling up in warehouses just outside the territory.
The violence has escalated, with reports from Bassal detailing how Israeli forces used both bullets and tank shells against civilians near known aid sites. Witnesses described scenes where troops opened fire on large crowds, with estimations of around 50,000 people gathered for rations. Due to strict media restrictions and access challenges, independent verification of the reported casualties remains difficult.
Major aid organizations have refused to collaborate with GHF out of concern that it primarily serves Israeli military objectives. Additionally, on Monday, over a dozen human rights organizations demanded that GHF cease operations, warning of potential complicity in war crimes.
As Israel agreed to a ceasefire with Iran after a prolonged conflict, renewed calls emerged for a similar halt to hostilities with Hamas. Opposition leader Yair Lapid urged for efforts to bring back hostages and end the ongoing war. In the wake of the conflict sparked by an attack from Hamas in October 2023, the death toll has surged, with estimates indicating that 56,077 people have lost their lives in Gaza, predominantly civilians, according to local health officials.
