Israeli forces have opened fire on Palestinians gathered at aid distribution sites run by a US-backed group in southern and central Gaza, killing at least 31 people in Rafah and one more near the Netzarim Corridor. The United Nations has described Gaza as the “hungriest place on earth,” with its entire population at risk of famine.
Reda Abu Jazar, whose brother was among those killed, expressed her grief, saying, “Let them stop these massacres, stop this genocide. They are killing us.” Arafat Siyam, whose brother was also killed, accused the Israeli military of unfairly targeting Palestinians, stating, “This is unfair. What they are doing is unfair.”
Humanitarian Crisis in Gaza
The Gaza Health Ministry has condemned the Israeli army’s actions, stating that the “so-called aid centres have become Israeli death traps.” Dr. Munir al-Bursh, the director general of the ministry, criticized the international silence regarding the massacres being committed against the starving residents of the Gaza Strip. He also highlighted the dire conditions in hospitals due to a severe shortage of medicines and supplies.
Sahar Ghanem, director of the Health Ministry’s department of medical laboratories and blood banks, noted that malnutrition in Gaza has significantly affected the number of blood donors, saying, “We are facing a shortage of blood stock in all hospitals. We urgently need blood units from abroad, as well as blood testing and storage equipment.”
Civilian Casualties and Displacement
At least 32 Palestinians have been killed and 136 injured in Israeli attacks across Gaza in the past 24 hours, according to the Health Ministry. The total death toll from Israel’s war on Gaza has risen to 54,418 killed and 124,190 injured since October 7, 2023. The UN reports that more than 632,000 Palestinians have been displaced since Israel broke the nearly two-month-old ceasefire with Hamas in Gaza.
Witness Accounts
Witnesses in Rafah described chaotic scenes near the aid distribution point, where Palestinians were met with gunfire, drone bombs, and shells while trying to collect food. One Palestinian said, “The Israelis opened fire on us. We ran to get our hands on some food, we were met with gunfire, drone bombs and shells… We are starving to death, just trying to get our hands on some food.” Another resident recounted a father’s desperate attempt to feed his family, saying, “He was trying to get some flour to feed his children. He’s gone but came back carried on a stretcher… They flock us towards their fire.”