The UN human rights office has released alarming figures indicating that at least 1,760 Palestinians have lost their lives while seeking aid in Gaza since late May. This marks a significant increase from the previous total reported at the beginning of August, which stood at 1,373. According to the statement from the UN’s office for the Palestinian territories, out of those killed, 994 were in the vicinity of Gaza Humanitarian Foundation sites, while 766 were targeted along supply convoy routes. The agency has attributed most of these fatalities to actions by the Israeli military.
On Friday, Gaza’s civil defense agency reported that Israeli fire claimed the lives of at least 38 individuals, including 12 people who were attempting to receive humanitarian assistance. The Israeli military, for its part, stated that its operations are focused on dismantling Hamas’ military capabilities. They added that precautions are being taken to minimize civilian harm during these operations.
Due to media restrictions and access difficulties in Gaza, independent verification of the reported casualties by both the civil defense agency and the Israeli military remains challenging. A senior military official from Israel indicated on Wednesday that plans for a new offensive targeting Hamas had been approved, with the intention of regaining full control of Gaza City and surrounding refugee camps, which are densely populated and have been severely impacted by over 22 months of ongoing conflict.
Residents of Gaza City have reported an increase in air strikes targeting residential areas in recent days. Earlier this week, Hamas criticized what it described as “aggressive” Israeli ground operations in the region. On Friday, the Israeli military disclosed that its forces were conducting various operations on the city’s periphery.
The Israeli government’s intention to escalate military action has raised concerns both internationally and within Israel itself. UN-backed experts have recently warned of a potential famine unfolding in Gaza, exacerbated by Israel’s stringent restrictions on humanitarian aid.
The ongoing conflict was reignited by a Hamas attack in October 2023, which led to the deaths of 1,219 individuals based on an AFP tally that utilized official figures. The health ministry in Hamas-run Gaza has reported that Israeli offensives have resulted in at least 61,827 Palestinian fatalities, a statistic the United Nations considers credible.
