In the Gaza Strip city of Deir al-Balah, an Israeli airstrike on Monday struck near a charity kitchen where a crowd of Palestinians had gathered to receive meals. The incident is one among several assaults across the area that resulted in over 30 casualties, primarily women and children, according to hospital authorities. Another attack targeted a media tent situated on the grounds of a hospital, claiming the lives of two individuals, including a local journalist, and injuring six more reporters.
The Israeli military reported that the strike intended to eliminate a man identified as a Hamas combatant masquerading as a journalist. Video evidence revealed efforts to rescue the body of a young girl, her face marred with blood, from an explosion that witnesses confirmed struck a tent adjacent to the charity kitchen in Khan Younis. The deadly strike killed six more individuals, including two women, and caused injuries to at least ten others, as reported by hospital officials.
The assault occurred around noon while the kitchen was operational, providing meals to those residing in tent camps due to displacement. Samah Abu Jamie, who lost her nephew in the incident and had her daughter injured, shared her regret over them seeking food despite her warnings.
Crowds at charity kitchens have been increasing as alternative food sources diminish. Over a month prior, Israel had ceased all deliveries of food, fuel, and medicine to Gaza’s over 2 million residents, compelling humanitarian organizations to begin rationing. The World Food Program has cautioned that their resources to sustain kitchens might be exhausted by next week. They recently halted distributing essential food boxes and had to close bakeries they managed due to flour shortages, which affected hundreds of thousands who relied on their bread.
Following the termination of its ceasefire with Hamas last month, Israel has intensified its bombardment in Gaza, leading to hundreds of casualties and the creation of new military territories. Israel claims these actions apply pressure on Hamas to free captives, disarm, and vacate the area, as required under the ceasefire terms.
Officials from six United Nations departments criticized the blockade, describing Gaza’s situation as one of being ‘trapped, bombed and starved’. They mentioned that Israeli assurances of adequate supplies during the ceasefire are disconnected from the severe scarcity on ground. They urged for civilian protection, aid access, hostages release, and a renewed ceasefire.
The attack outside Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis at around 2 a.m. incinerated the media tent, killing Palestine Today news website correspondent Yousef al-Faqawi and another person. The strike, according to the military, was aimed at Hassan Eslaiah, an alleged Hamas militant linked to the attack on southern Israel on October 7, 2023, which catalyzed the war. Eslaiah, who sometimes contributed photos to various international media as a freelance journalist, was one of six journalists injured in the attack.
A separate attack in Gaza City killed an emergency room physician, as reported by Gaza’s Health Ministry. The campaign has reportedly resulted in over 1,000 health worker deaths and at least 173 journalist fatalities, as reported by the United Nations and the Committee to Protect Journalists. Hospitals in Khan Younis and Deir al-Balah reported receiving 33 casualties, 19 of which were women and children, from ongoing and nightly attacks including those mentioned prior.
Some strikes left homes as ruins, with Imad Maghari describing a devastating midnight assault resembling an earthquake, followed by the cries of affected children and women. The destruction resulted in one neighbor losing five family members and another their young son.
Israel’s military action, a response to Hamas’ attack on October 7, has resulted in over 50,000 deaths of Palestinians, primarily women and children, based on the Gaza health ministry’s figures, which do not differentiate between civilians and militants.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu met with U.S. President Donald Trump to discuss specific issues relating to Gaza. Netanyahu’s official residence in Jerusalem was met with protests demanding urgent negotiations for the release of captives. Many worry Netanyahu’s decision to relaunch offensive operations increases the risk to hostages, hoping President Trump might mediate a resolution.
As protestor Varda Ben Baruch expressed, addressing Netanyahu, the pressing need for negotiation in Washington with President Trump could pave the way for the safe return of all captives currently held.