Daijiworld Media Network- Gaza
Gaza, Jul 31: At least 46 Palestinians were killed overnight and into Wednesday in Israeli strikes and gunfire across the Gaza Strip, with a majority of the victims waiting for humanitarian aid, according to health officials.
Among those killed, more than 30 people had gathered near food distribution sites when they were struck. Seven others, including a child, died of malnutrition-related causes, as the territory faces growing famine conditions.
Shifa Hospital in Gaza City confirmed it received 12 bodies of people killed Tuesday night when Israeli forces opened fire near the Zikim crossing in northern Gaza. Thirteen others were reported killed in strikes on Jabaliya refugee camp, Beit Lahiya, and Beit Hanoun.
In Khan Younis, Nasser Hospital said it received 16 bodies of individuals killed near the Morag corridor, a new aid route opened by the Israeli military. One additional body was received following a strike on a tent in the same area.
Awda Hospital in Nuseirat said it received the bodies of four Palestinians killed by Israeli fire near an aid site operated by the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation in the Netzarim corridor, south of Wadi Gaza.
The Gaza Health Ministry reported that 89 children and 65 adults have died of malnutrition-related causes since the war began. The situation continues to deteriorate despite Israel’s recent announcement to ease aid restrictions.
Over 1,000 Palestinians have been killed while seeking aid since May, mostly near aid sites operated under Israeli control, according to local health officials and the U.N. Human Rights Office.
The Israeli military did not comment on the latest incidents but previously stated that it fires only warning shots to disperse crowds. Aid workers have warned that relief operations remain severely hampered.
U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff is expected to arrive in Israel on Thursday for talks after ceasefire negotiations with Hamas stalled last week.
Since the conflict began on October 7, 2023, after the Hamas attack on southern Israel that killed around 1,200 people and led to the abduction of 251 hostages, the Israeli military offensive has killed over 60,000 Palestinians, according to the Gaza Health Ministry. The ministry’s figures are widely cited by international agencies, although they do not distinguish between civilians and militants.