Israeli Airstrikes and Fatal Shootings Claim 52 Lives in Gaza

DEIR AL-BALAH, Gaza Strip — In a tragic escalation of violence, Israeli airstrikes have resulted in the deaths of at least 52 Palestinians in the Gaza Strip, including four children, as they sought humanitarian aid amid ongoing hostilities. The attacks occurred late Friday and continued into Saturday, with casualties reported mainly in central Gaza's Deir al-Balah and southern Gaza's Khan Younis.

According to hospital officials at Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital, 28 individuals were killed during airstrikes in Deir al-Balah, while another 15 fatalities were confirmed at Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis. The violence further intensified as 24 other Palestinians were reportedly shot while attempting to reach an aid distribution site managed by a U.S.-backed organization, the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF).

Reports indicate that Israeli military forces fired warning shots toward groups they described as behaving suspiciously. However, the military did not acknowledge any casualties resulting from these shots. The GHF spokesperson denied that any such incident occurred near their facilities, stating, “We checked with our extended team, and this incident didn’t happen near our sites.”

Witness accounts provide a harrowing perspective on the situation. Abdullah al-Haddad, a survivor of the shooting, recounted the moments just before he was injured: “We were together, and they shot us at once,” he said, nursing a leg wound at Nasser Hospital. Another witness, Mohammed Jamal al-Sahloo, claimed that Israeli forces had directed civilians to proceed to the aid site when the shooting commenced. The tragic loss included 17-year-old Nasir al-Sha’er, whose mother described him as determined to procure flour for their family. “He said to me, ‘Mom, you don’t have flour, and today I’ll go and bring you flour, even if I die,’” she recalled, lamenting his absence.

The ongoing conflict has left a staggering toll on Gaza's population, with over 57,800 Palestinians reported dead since the onset of the war, according to Gaza's Health Ministry. This number includes a significant portion of women and children, highlighting the severe humanitarian crisis that has ensued since hostilities escalated following Hamas's attack on Israel on October 7, 2023.

The war has exacerbated food insecurity, with many Gazans reliant on external aid. Following the end of a recent ceasefire in March, aid entry has been severely restricted. Reports from food security experts warn of impending famine conditions, with hundreds having been killed while approaching GHF distribution points, which are classified as military zones.

The United Nations and various aid organizations have expressed their difficulties in providing humanitarian assistance due to Israeli military restrictions and increased looting incidents. A joint statement from U.N. agencies noted the entry of a limited fuel supply into Gaza after a prolonged absence, underscoring the dire conditions faced by civilians dependent on aid for survival.

In parallel, Israel's military announced that it had targeted approximately 250 sites linked to militant operations within Gaza, including weapon storage facilities and tunnels. The military has issued warnings to fishermen and beachgoers along Gaza's coast, further highlighting the tense environment in the region.

The situation remains critical as diplomatic efforts for a ceasefire continue, with U.S. President Donald Trump indicating potential negotiations to secure the release of hostages held by Hamas. However, as the humanitarian crisis deepens, the urgency for a resolution grows more pressing, with the international community urging immediate action to alleviate the suffering of the Gazan population.