Gaza: 44 killed awaiting aid; war deaths surpass 56,000

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    In Gaza, Israeli military forces and drones unleashed fire upon groups of Palestinians seeking aid in distinct areas in southern and central Gaza, resulting in the death of at least 44 individuals, as reported by witnesses and medical facilities. According to health officials, the death toll in the ongoing conflict has now exceeded 56,000 Palestinians.
    Palestinian sources and healthcare officials have alleged that Israeli troops have been targeting clusters of individuals, attempting to secure vital supplies, leading to numerous fatalities in recent times. The Israeli military has countered these claims, stating that warning shots have been fired at individuals deemed suspicious.
    Witnesses in central Gaza shared that Israeli troops fired upon civilians moving toward aid vehicles south of Wadi Gaza. “It was a massacre,” expressed Ahmed Halawa, recounting that tanks and drones opened fire on the individuals even as they attempted to flee. Many were reportedly either killed or injured.
    Hossam Abu Shahada recalled drones surveilling the area, followed by gunfire from tanks and drones as people tried to advance eastward. He described a “chaotic and bloody” scene, with people desperately seeking safety.
    According to Shahada, at least three individuals were left unresponsive, while many others sustained injuries.
    The Israeli military is currently investigating the event, which occurred in the vicinity of the Netzarim corridor, a thoroughfare separating northern and southern Gaza.
    The Awda hospital in the Nuseirat refugee camp reported receiving 25 deceased and stated that 146 others had been injured. Among the wounded, 62 were critically injured and transferred to other medical facilities. Meanwhile, the Al-Aqsa Martyrs hospital in Deir al-Balah confirmed receiving six bodies from the same occurrence.
    In Rafah, located at the southernmost part of Gaza, witnesses claimed Israeli soldiers opened fire as people approached a food distribution site managed by the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation. Nasser hospital and Gaza’s Health Ministry reported at least 19 fatalities and 50 injuries.
    The newly established distribution centers, managed by an American contractor with support from U.S. and Israeli authorities, have been marred by violence and disorder since their inception last month. The GHF sites are located in military zones where independent journalists have no access.
    According to an anonymous U.S. official, the Trump administration approved a $30 million aid package for GHF, indicating sensitive diplomatic issues around a contentious aid program.
    Witnesses reported Israeli soldiers firing as thousands of Palestinians congregated in the Shakoush area, located a short distance from the distribution location.
    The Israeli military did not immediately comment on the matter.
    Salem Ismail, who was amongst the crowd, was injured in his leg. He recounted seeing troops firing at the crowd moving toward the site.
    Ayman Abu Joda described heavy gunfire from Israeli tanks, resulting in many injuries. He assisted in evacuating three injured individuals;
    one with a chest wound and two with leg injuries. “It’s the same tragedy daily: we seek food, and the occupation opens fire, causing deaths,” he lamented.
    Zaher al-Waheidi, head of the Health Ministry’s records department, verified the casualty figures.
    The GHF announced on social media that their hub opened and concluded its operations on Tuesday, urging people to avoid the site. Israel aims for GHF to replace a system managed by the United Nations and international aid organizations, alleging, without evidence, that Hamas has been misappropriating aid. The United Nations denies such systematic diversions of aid.
    The Health Ministry of Gaza reported that Israel’s 21-month military offensive has resulted in 56,077 deaths. The ongoing war began following Hamas’ surprise attack on southern Israel on October 7, 2023, killing approximately 1,200, mostly civilians, and capturing 251 hostages, many of whom have been freed through ceasefires or other agreements.
    The current death toll is the highest ever recorded in Israeli-Palestinian conflicts.
    According to the ministry, 5,759 deaths have occurred since Israel resumed hostilities on March 18, disrupting a two-month pause in fighting. While the ministry does not differentiate between civilians and combatants, it maintains that over half of the deceased are women and children.
    Israel asserts that its targets are exclusively militants and attributes civilian deaths to Hamas, which allegedly operates within densely populated zones. Israel claims that over 20,000 Hamas militants have been killed, although no evidence has been provided to substantiate these numbers. Hamas has not issued statements regarding its casualties.