Israeli Strike Kills 18 Palestinians in Central Gaza
Latest violence surrounding food distribution to Gaza's population results in deaths.
An Israeli strike hit a street in central Gaza on Thursday where witnesses said a crowd of people was getting bags of flour from a Palestinian police unit that had confiscated the goods from gangs looting aid convoys.
Hospital officials confirmed that 18 people were killed in the incident.The strike comes as tensions rise over the distribution of food to Gaza’s population, which has been facing turmoil over the past month.
After blocking all food for two and a half months, Israel has allowed only a trickle of supplies into the territory since mid-May.Efforts by the United Nations to distribute food have been marred by armed gangs looting trucks and desperate crowds offloading supplies from convoys.
The latest strike appeared to target members of Sahm, a security unit tasked with stopping looters and cracking down on merchants who sell stolen aid at high prices.
This unit is part of Gaza’s Hamas-led Interior Ministry but includes members from other factions.Witnesses stated that the Sahm unit was distributing bags of flour and other goods confiscated from looters and corrupt merchants when the strike hit.
Video footage showed multiple young men, including a child, killed in the aftermath, with blood splattered on the pavement and walls of nearby buildings.
At least seven members of the Sahm unit were among the dead according to Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital.The Israeli military has yet to comment on the incident.
Israel accuses the militant Hamas group of stealing aid meant for Gaza's population, using it to prop up their rule in the enclave.
In response, Israeli forces have repeatedly targeted Gaza’s police, considering them a branch of Hamas.In response to these accusations, an association of influential clans and tribes in Gaza has started guarding aid convoys to prevent looting.
The National Gathering of Palestinian Clans and Tribes claimed responsibility for escorting a shipment of flour into northern Gaza the evening before.However, it remains unclear if they have coordinated with UN or Israeli authorities.
The World Food Program did not immediately respond to requests for comment from the AP.The situation surrounding aid distribution in Gaza has become increasingly complex, involving various parties including UN agencies and private contractors.
The Israeli government maintains that Hamas siphons off large amounts of supplies from the aid intended for Palestinians, a claim denied by the UN and other humanitarian groups.In recent weeks, Israel has allowed a small number of aid trucks into Gaza for UN distribution.
The World Health Organization managed to deliver its first medical shipment into Gaza since March 2, consisting of nine trucks carrying blood, plasma, and other supplies to Nasser Hospital in southern Gaza.Despite the challenges faced by Palestinians attempting to access these resources, some expressed gratitude at finally receiving aid after months without flour or proper nutrition.
However, concerns remain about the sustainability and accessibility of this vital supply chain for Gaza's population.
Hospital officials confirmed that 18 people were killed in the incident.The strike comes as tensions rise over the distribution of food to Gaza’s population, which has been facing turmoil over the past month.
After blocking all food for two and a half months, Israel has allowed only a trickle of supplies into the territory since mid-May.Efforts by the United Nations to distribute food have been marred by armed gangs looting trucks and desperate crowds offloading supplies from convoys.
The latest strike appeared to target members of Sahm, a security unit tasked with stopping looters and cracking down on merchants who sell stolen aid at high prices.
This unit is part of Gaza’s Hamas-led Interior Ministry but includes members from other factions.Witnesses stated that the Sahm unit was distributing bags of flour and other goods confiscated from looters and corrupt merchants when the strike hit.
Video footage showed multiple young men, including a child, killed in the aftermath, with blood splattered on the pavement and walls of nearby buildings.
At least seven members of the Sahm unit were among the dead according to Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital.The Israeli military has yet to comment on the incident.
Israel accuses the militant Hamas group of stealing aid meant for Gaza's population, using it to prop up their rule in the enclave.
In response, Israeli forces have repeatedly targeted Gaza’s police, considering them a branch of Hamas.In response to these accusations, an association of influential clans and tribes in Gaza has started guarding aid convoys to prevent looting.
The National Gathering of Palestinian Clans and Tribes claimed responsibility for escorting a shipment of flour into northern Gaza the evening before.However, it remains unclear if they have coordinated with UN or Israeli authorities.
The World Food Program did not immediately respond to requests for comment from the AP.The situation surrounding aid distribution in Gaza has become increasingly complex, involving various parties including UN agencies and private contractors.
The Israeli government maintains that Hamas siphons off large amounts of supplies from the aid intended for Palestinians, a claim denied by the UN and other humanitarian groups.In recent weeks, Israel has allowed a small number of aid trucks into Gaza for UN distribution.
The World Health Organization managed to deliver its first medical shipment into Gaza since March 2, consisting of nine trucks carrying blood, plasma, and other supplies to Nasser Hospital in southern Gaza.Despite the challenges faced by Palestinians attempting to access these resources, some expressed gratitude at finally receiving aid after months without flour or proper nutrition.
However, concerns remain about the sustainability and accessibility of this vital supply chain for Gaza's population.
