At least 73 Palestinians lost their lives recently while attempting to secure aid across Gaza, marking one of the most devastating days for those seeking assistance amidst ongoing conflict. This tragedy occurred as Israel’s military issued new evacuation orders for areas in central Gaza, which have generally been less affected by ground operations and are home to numerous international aid organisations.
The most significant loss of life was reported in northern Gaza, where individuals were trying to access aid entering through the Zikim crossing with Israel. Eyewitness accounts suggest that Israeli military forces opened fire on large crowds. The UN World Food Program reported that, despite 25 trucks carrying aid arriving for desperate communities, the situation escalated into violence, which the organisation condemned as “completely unacceptable.”
Witnesses described harrowing scenes, with one individual, Ehab Al-Zei, recounting being trapped for hours as gunfire erupted around him. In another instance, Nafiz Al-Najjar narrated how tanks and drones in the area targeted civilians indiscriminately, leading to the death of his cousin and others. The Israeli military acknowledged casualties among the thousands gathered but disputed the higher fatality figures reported by Gaza’s authorities, attributing the chaos to Hamas militants’ actions.
Overall, over 150 individuals sustained injuries, and a separate incident in Khan Younis claimed the lives of seven Palestinians, including a young child. The ongoing conflict has exacerbated an already dire humanitarian crisis, with Gaza’s population of more than 2 million heavily reliant on the limited aid that trickles in. As of now, nearly 59,000 Palestinians have died since the war escalated following Hamas’s violent incursion into Israel on October 7, 2023.
The evacuation orders issued recently disrupted transit routes within Gaza, limiting movements for aid groups and civilians. The UN is clarifying whether its facilities in affected regions are included in evacuation mandates, while Israel has indicated a preference for civilians to relocate to designated humanitarian zones.
Reports indicate that the humanitarian conditions are deteriorating further, with ambulances sounding alarms in front of major hospitals as malnutrition cases rise. Since March, when the blockade dramatically tightened, at least nine children under five have reportedly died from hunger-related causes. Hospitals have documented increasing instances of malnutrition, stressing the urgent need for more comprehensive assistance as the population faces escalating food shortages.
In light of these challenges, many are calling for an end to the violence, with families of hostages urging Israeli leadership for clarity on their military’s objectives in central Gaza, stating the need for a clear and comprehensive resolution to this prolonged conflict.