Post by : Mariam
Al-Faris
Photo: Reuters
On Wednesday, 30 Palestinians were reportedly killed when Israeli forces opened fire on a group of people waiting to collect humanitarian aid in northern Gaza. The shooting left more than 300 others injured, many of them seriously.
People Were Queuing for Food
The victims were among a large group of Palestinians who had gathered to receive food and supplies. These people had been waiting in line because they are facing extreme hunger. The incident happened near the coast, about three kilometres southwest of the Zikim crossing point, where aid trucks enter Gaza from the north.
Hospital Confirms the Deaths
The director of a major hospital in Gaza City confirmed that the hospital received the bodies of 35 people who died in the shooting. Medical teams are also treating hundreds of injured individuals, and the number of deaths may rise if some of the wounded do not survive.
Israeli Army Says Incident Is Being Reviewed
After the incident, the Israeli army said that they are reviewing the reports. They did not confirm whether their forces were responsible for firing at the civilians. In past situations, the army has said that it only fires warning shots to control crowds or prevent people from approaching military zones.
More Killings on the Same Day
Earlier that day, 14 more Palestinians were killed in four different incidents in the Gaza Strip. Three of these events also happened near places where aid was being distributed. Gaza’s civil defence team reported that these areas have become dangerous for people trying to get food.
Army Claims Only Warning Shots Used
In some of the earlier incidents, the Israeli army claimed it only used warning shots. According to them, these shots were fired into the air or the ground to stop people from crowding too close to aid convoys or soldiers. However, the high number of deaths and injuries has caused serious concern.
Media Access is Very Limited
Due to ongoing fighting, most journalists and independent groups cannot easily enter or move around Gaza. Because of this, it is very hard to verify the full details of each incident. Most reports rely on local hospitals, civil defence teams, and health officials.
Over 1,000 Palestinians Killed While Seeking Aid
Since May, over 1,000 Palestinians have been killed while trying to collect aid. Most of these incidents have happened near distribution areas managed by an international humanitarian group that receives support from Israel and the United States. These places are meant to help people, but have become very dangerous.
Conflicting Claims About Use of Force
The humanitarian aid group says its security contractors only use pepper spray or warning shots to manage large crowds. They say this is done to avoid chaos and stampedes. Similarly, the Israeli military claims it does not shoot to kill, and only uses warning fire. However, the high number of deaths raises many questions.
Food and Supplies Not Reaching People
Gaza is going through a very serious hunger crisis. The war, which has lasted nearly 22 months, has destroyed much of the region’s infrastructure. Israel is controlling what kind of aid can enter Gaza and how much. As a result, the people are not getting enough food, medicine, or clean water.
Children and Adults Dying from Hunger
According to Gaza’s health ministry, 89 children have died from hunger-related causes since the beginning of the war. In addition, 65 adults have also died of malnutrition since late June, when officials began recording adult hunger deaths. Doctors say the number could increase rapidly if more help is not allowed in.
Israel Promises More Aid, But Not Enough
After facing pressure from other countries, Israel recently said it would allow more international aid into Gaza. However, humanitarian groups working in the region say that the amount of aid reaching people is still far too small. Many areas remain without basic food, water, and shelter.
Airdrops of Aid Are Falling in Wrong Places
Some countries have begun dropping aid into Gaza from airplanes. However, many of these packages fall into the sea or into areas that people have been told to leave because of military activity. In some cases, people have even swum into the Mediterranean Sea to collect soaking wet bags of flour.
Hunger Experts Warn of Widespread Deaths
A global food monitoring group called the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) recently said that the hunger crisis in Gaza has reached a very serious level. Although it has not officially declared a famine, the group warned that many more people could die soon if immediate action is not taken.
War Began in October 2023
The current situation started in October 2023, when armed groups from Gaza attacked Israel. That attack killed 1,219 people in Israel, most of them civilians. A total of 251 people were also taken hostage and brought into Gaza. Today, 49 of those hostages are still held, and 27 are believed to be dead.
Israel’s Military Campaign Continues
In response to the October 2023 attack, Israel launched a military campaign against Hamas in Gaza. According to health officials in Gaza, at least 60,138 Palestinians have been killed since then. The majority of the victims are civilians, and the number keeps rising with every passing day.
International Community Calling for Help
Many international organisations and human rights groups have asked for an immediate increase in humanitarian aid to Gaza. They say that innocent people, especially children and the elderly, are paying the price for a war they did not choose. Aid groups are also asking for better protection for people collecting food.
Urgent Action Needed to Save Lives
The killing of people who were only trying to collect food has shocked many around the world. With hunger spreading quickly, and so many already dead, aid must be allowed to reach those in need without delay. The world must act fast to save lives and bring hope to those who are suffering in Gaza.
English
