Israeli gunfire and airstrikes have resulted in the deaths of at least 41 Palestinians across Gaza, according to local health authorities, including five individuals near two aid sites run by the US-supported Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF).
Medics at Al-Awda Hospital in central Gaza reported that at least three individuals were killed and dozens injured by Israeli fire while attempting to approach a GHF site located near the Netzarim corridor.
Additionally, two others lost their lives while heading to another aid site in Rafah in the southern region.
An airstrike in Beit Lahiya, located in the northern part of the enclave, claimed the lives of seven more individuals, according to medical personnel.
The remaining casualties were the result of separate airstrikes in southern Gaza, they indicated.
There has been no immediate response from the Israeli military regarding these events.
The GHF initiated the distribution of food packages in Gaza at the end of May after Israel partially lifted a nearly three-month total blockade. Numerous Palestinians have been killed in almost daily mass shootings while attempting to access food supplies.
In a statement, the GHF mentioned that it resumed food deliveries on Sunday, successfully distributing over two million meals from its three distribution locations without incident.
The United Nations has deemed the newly established Israeli-backed distribution system as insufficient, hazardous, and a violation of humanitarian impartiality principles.
COGAT, the Israeli military’s aid coordination body, stated that this week it facilitated the entry of 292 trucks carrying humanitarian assistance from the United Nations and the international community, including food and flour, into Gaza.
They affirmed that the Israeli military would continue to allow the entry of humanitarian aid into the enclave while ensuring it does not reach Hamas.
Hamas refutes the accusations made by Israel regarding aid theft and asserts that Israel is using hunger as a weapon against the people of Gaza.
The Gaza health ministry reported yesterday that at least 300 individuals have been killed, and more than 2,600 wounded, near aid distribution sites since the GHF commenced operations in Gaza.
“These are not humanitarian aid; they are traps for the impoverished and the hungry under the oversight of occupation planes,” stated Munir Al-Bursh, Director-General of the health ministry.
“Aid distributed under fire isn’t aid; it is humiliation,” Mr. Bursh commented on X.
The conflict in Gaza began 20 months ago after Hamas-led militants invaded Israel, taking 251 hostages and killing 1,200 individuals, the majority of whom were civilians, on October 7, 2023.
Since then, Israeli military operations have resulted in the deaths of nearly 55,000 Palestinians, primarily civilians, according to Gaza’s health authorities.
A large portion of the population is currently displaced, and malnutrition is widespread.
