Gaza (Quds News Network)- 59 aid seekers have been killed and hundreds more injured, dozens critically, after an Israeli attack targeted a starving crowd waiting for food in Khan Younis in southern Gaza, amid a weeks-long Israeli blockade that has left the population in urgent need of basic necessities.
A starving crowd was waiting for aid in the eastern part of Khan Younis city on Tuesday morning as they gathered at points leading to a recently established point for aid distribution by the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF) when an Israeli strike targeted them, according to the Palestinian Health Ministry, killing 59 people, and the death toll is expected to rise, with over 200 injured, dozens of them in serious condition.
Witnesses said they had gone to collect food aid but were met with live ammunition and drone attacks without any kind of warning.
This attack was not the only assault on aid seekers this morning.
There was also one near the Netzarim Corridor, where another GHF site turned into a death trap. At least one person was killed there, while 60 others were wounded.
Israel has regularly attacked starving aid seekers, particularly those waiting for food near aid distribution sites operated by the controversial Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), backed by the US and Israel, killing over 397 and injuring more than 3,000, the Health Ministry reported on Tuesday.
On March 2, Israel announced the closure of Gaza’s main crossings, cutting off food, medical and humanitarian supplies, worsening a humanitarian crisis for 2.3 million Palestinians, according to reports by human rights organisations who have accused it of using starvation as a weapon of war against Palestinains.
An Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) report last month warned that almost a quarter of the civilian population would face catastrophic levels of food insecurity (IPC Phase Five) in the coming months.
After more than 80 days of total blockade, starvation, and growing international outrage, limited aid has allegedly been distributed by the GHF, a scandal-plagued organization backed by the US and Israel, created to bypass the UN’s established aid delivery infrastructure in the Gaza Strip.
Most humanitarian organisations, including the UN, have distanced themselves from GHF, arguing that the group violates humanitarian principles by restricting aid to south and central Gaza, requiring Palestinians to walk long distances to collect aid, and only providing limited aid, among other critiques.
The UN confirmed that Israel is still blocking food from reaching starving Palestinians with only a few trucks of aid having reached Gaza.
Doctors Without Borders (MSF) warned that “weaponizing aid in this manner may constitute crimes against humanity.”
Survivors Describe Israeli Massacre That Killed Over 55 Starving Civilians Near US-Backed Gaza Aid Site
Over 55 aid seekers were killed and 200 others injured while waiting for food near a recently established aid distribution site run by the US-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), when Israeli forces targeted them directly with shells and gunfire.
Witnesses said Israeli forces opened fire on a crowd of people waiting for food.
“Tens of thousands of hungry civilians gathered for the aid. Two Israeli shells were dropped in the middle of the crowd. Dozens of civilians, including children, were killed, and no one could help or save lives,” survivor Saeed Abu Liba, 38, said in a video circulated on social media. “May God punish the Israelis for their crimes.”
Yousef Nofal, another witness, said he saw many people motionless and bleeding on the ground. “It was a massacre,” he said, adding Israeli soldiers continued firing on people as they fled the area.
Mohammed Abu Qeshfa said he heard a loud explosion followed by heavy gunfire and tank shelling. “I survived by a miracle,” he said.
“Israeli drones fired at the citizens. Some minutes later, Israeli tanks fired several shells at the citizens, which led to a large number of martyrs and wounded,” he said.
The Palestinian Health Ministry confirmed that 59 people were killed in the attack, while 200 others were critically injured.
Israel has regularly attacked starving aid seekers, particularly those waiting for food near aid distribution sites operated by the GHF, backed by the US and Israel, killing over 397 and injuring more than 3,000, the Health Ministry reported on Tuesday.
Israeli Forces Admit to Tuesday’s Gaza Aid Massacre
The Israeli military has admitted to killing and injuring dozens of starving aid seekers who were waiting for food in the southern Gaza city of Khan Younis on Tuesday morning, in one of the bloodiest Israeli attacks amid growing desperation for food.
In a statement on Tuesday, the Israeli military confirmed reports of the deadly massacre, claiming that a crowd of Gazans had gathered near an aid truck that had become stuck in Khan Younis, close to Israeli forces operating in the area, without providing evidence as usual.
