Rising Death Toll in Gaza Amidst Humanitarian Crisis and Military Action

An alarming escalation in violence has resulted in at least 33 deaths in Gaza, including 11 Palestinians seeking aid. Eyewitness accounts reveal that the Israeli military has been aggressively firing on crowds accumulating for supplies. As humanitarian needs grow, criticisms mount against the new aid distribution framework backed by the US and Israel, raising concerns about the escalating death toll.

In Gaza City, the humanitarian situation continues to deteriorate as funerals were held for seven individuals killed while seeking aid on Tuesday. On Wednesday, at least 33 Palestinians lost their lives, including 11 who were in line for food supplies, as reported by rescuers and medical personnel. A spokesman from the Hamas-run civil defense agency stated that Israeli forces "opened fire and launched several shells" at thousands lining up on the main Salah al-Din Road.

The Israeli military responded, asserting that its troops operating in the Nuseirat area discharged warning shots after perceiving a potential threat from approaching individuals. They claimed to be unaware of any resulting injuries from their actions. Moreover, the civil defense agency linked 19 additional deaths to air strikes carried out by Israeli forces across both northern and southern Gaza. This included a tragic incident where eight individuals were killed when their home was hit in Gaza City's Zeitoun area. The military maintained that their operations aimed to dismantle Hamas' military capabilities in the region.

Reports indicate that Gaza's Hamas-run health ministry acknowledged over 140 deaths within a 24-hour period. Notably, 51 civilians reportedly died in southern Khan Younis while waiting for aid, with UN partner organizations estimating that the fatality count exceeded 60. Eyewitness accounts revealed that Israeli tanks and drones engaged crowds assembled near a UN World Food Programme warehouse and charity center.

Compounding the crisis, a doctor at al-Shifa hospital stated that many fatalities resulted from Israeli air strikes while further injuries stemmed from gunfire. Eyewitness Umm Fida Masoud expressed her grief over her son's injuries after he attempted to secure flour for their family.

Since the opening of the new Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF) aid distribution centers backed by the US on May 26, nearly 400 people have reportedly died in their attempts to access food. The GHF aims to bypass the UN as the deliverer of humanitarian aid to Gaza's 2.1 million Palestinians. However, various organizations, including the UN, have refused to collaborate with the GHF, arguing that it undermines the core humanitarian principles of neutrality and impartiality.

The escalating violence has prompted critical remarks from Philippe Lazzarini, head of the UN agency for Palestinian refugees (UNRWA), who condemned the aid distribution scheme as "lame, medieval and lethal," emphasizing the need for accountability. In contrast, the GHF has stated that it has provided 30 million meals across its centers "without incident," reinforcing its commitment to aid those in need.

As the World Food Programme warns that recently dispatched food supplies are merely a fraction of what is required, they underscore that substantial enhancements in food distributions are critical to calming tensions and building trust within the community. Meanwhile, 85 lorry loads of aid were recorded entering Gaza territories, yet the needs remain dire.

Following the conflict initiated by Hamas' attack on Israel on October 7, which resulted in significant casualties, at least 55,637 individuals in Gaza have perished since, according to the territory's health ministry. The ongoing war continues to exacerbate the urgent need for humanitarian aid amidst a backdrop of retaliatory military actions.