Deir al-Balah (Gaza Strip), Aug 25 (AP) - In an unfolding tragedy south of Gaza City, Israeli forces fatally shot four Palestinian individuals seeking humanitarian aid on Sunday, according to local hospitals and witnesses. The victims were traveling through a designated military zone regularly used to access a food distribution center.
Gaza City Famine Worsens Amid War - As Gaza City endures the throes of famine resulting from nearly two years of war, Israel's military advances its plans to seize the city, which could happen in mere days. The Israeli Defense Minister has issued stark warnings that the city, home to hundreds of thousands, faces potential destruction.
Al-Awda Hospital and eyewitnesses revealed that the Palestinians were gunned down as troops fired on the crowd destined for a site operated by the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation in the Netzarim corridor. Mohamed Abed, a resident of the Bureij refugee camp, lamented the shooting's indiscriminate nature.
Fellow aid-seeker Aymed Sayyad recounted how troops fired when a group rushed towards the site before its scheduled opening, leading him and others to assist the wounded. In contrast, the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation denied the incident's proximity to its site in an email statement. The Israeli military has yet to comment.
Malnutrition Claims More Lives - Gaza’s Health Ministry reported an additional eight malnutrition-related deaths, pushing the death toll to 289, with 115 of them being children. With thousands seeking a chance to obtain flour or food staples, the crisis deepens.
In total, 62,686 Palestinians have died due to the ongoing conflict, including those missing but confirmed dead. More than 2,000 have been killed and over 13,500 injured while attempting to access aid points or during UN convoy routes, according to the Health Ministry. Although the ministry doesn't specify civilian or combatant casualties, it estimates that half of the deceased are women and children. While Israel contests these figures, it hasn’t provided alternatives.
The Integrated Food Security Phase Classification announced that famine has taken hold in Gaza City, with areas such as Deir al-Balah and Khan Younis also at risk without swift intervention. Aid groups have long highlighted the crisis resulting from the war and Israeli restrictions on supplies entering Gaza, though Israel denies widespread hunger, labeling such reports as “lies” from Hamas.
Continuous Explosions Near Gaza City - The densely populated Jabaliya refugee camp north of Gaza City has endured relentless explosions. Residents live in fear as Israeli military operations intensify and reservists mobilize. Displaced resident Ossama Matter described the camp as unrecognizable, akin to the destruction seen in Rafah earlier in the conflict.
During an escape from Jabaliya, teacher Salim Dhaher observed robots planting explosives amid advancing troops and feared efforts aimed at further displacing Palestinians. The aim, according to Dhaher, is total destruction and forced evacuation.
Despite anticipations of Israel's invasion of Gaza City, a Hamas stronghold, large-scale evacuations have yet to occur. Many Palestinians express fatigue from constant displacement and doubt the safety of so-called humanitarian zones.
The current conflict traces back to Hamas-led militants abducting 251 people and killing approximately 1,200 civilians during their attack on October 7, 2023. While most hostages were released in subsequent ceasefires or deals, 50 remain captive with about 20 believed to be alive. Loved ones of these hostages express concerns that further offensives may endanger them.
Ceasefire Efforts Stalled - Calls for a ceasefire are in limbo as Israel’s next actions remain unknown. Although Hamas has accepted a partial deal mediated by Arab negotiators, they accuse Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of rejecting all solutions. (AP)
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