Escalating Violence and Aid Challenges in Gaza
The United Nations food agency has accused Israel of using tanks, snipers, and other weapons to fire on a crowd of Palestinians seeking food aid. This incident occurred in northern Gaza, where the territory’s Health Ministry described it as one of the deadliest days for those trying to access assistance.
The World Food Programme (WFP) strongly condemned the violence that erupted when Palestinians attempted to reach a convoy of trucks carrying food. According to the Health Ministry, at least 80 people were killed during the attack. The Israeli military stated that it fired warning shots “to remove an immediate threat,” but it has cast doubt on the death toll reported by Palestinian authorities.
This accusation from a major aid agency, which has generally maintained good relations with Israel, aligns with accounts from witnesses and others who claim that Israeli forces opened fire on the crowd. The tragic event underscores the growing danger faced by Gazans who are desperately seeking food and other essential supplies, as the conflict continues without end.
Ongoing Ceasefire Talks and Rising Death Toll
Despite ongoing ceasefire negotiations between Israel and Hamas, there has been no significant breakthrough, and it remains unclear whether any agreement would lead to a lasting peace. Meanwhile, the death toll in the war-torn territory has surpassed 58,800 Palestinians, according to the Gaza Health Ministry. While this count does not differentiate between militants and civilians, the ministry reports that more than half of the victims are women and children.
Although the Health Ministry is part of the Hamas government, international organizations like the UN consider it the most reliable source of casualty data. In response to the situation, Israel has expanded its evacuation orders to include areas that have been less affected than others, signaling the potential emergence of a new battleground and forcing Palestinians into increasingly smaller parts of Gaza.
Attacks on Aid Convoy Highlight Dangers
In northern Gaza, on Sunday, the Health Ministry, witnesses, and a UN official reported that Israeli forces opened fire on crowds attempting to obtain food from a 25-truck convoy that had entered the area. The WFP statement confirmed these claims, stating that the crowd surrounding its convoy “came under fire from Israeli tanks, snipers and other gunfire.” However, the statement did not provide a specific death toll, instead noting that the incident resulted in the loss of “countless lives.”
The WFP emphasized that the individuals targeted were simply trying to access food to feed themselves and their families, who are on the brink of starvation. It added that the attack occurred despite assurances from Israeli authorities that aid delivery would improve. These assurances included the promise that armed forces would not be present or engage along aid routes.
The Israeli military has not commented on the WFP’s claims. A military spokesperson, Lt Col Nadav Shoshani, posted on X that soldiers were instructed “do not engage, do not shoot.” However, due to Israel’s restrictions on international media entering Gaza, the conflicting accounts cannot be independently verified.
Diminishing Access to Aid and Growing Risks
Sunday’s incident highlights the worsening conditions for Palestinians seeking aid in Gaza. Access to assistance has significantly declined, and the act of seeking aid has become extremely dangerous. A US and Israeli-backed aid system, which has taken some control of aid delivery away from traditional providers like the UN, has been plagued by violence and chaos. Palestinians heading toward its distribution points have often come under fire.
The Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, which operates under this system, has stated that the majority of the reported violence has not occurred at its sites. Nevertheless, the situation remains dire, with aid workers and civilians alike facing increasing risks as they attempt to provide and receive much-needed support.
