DEIR AL-BALAH, Gaza Strip (AP) – The U.N. World Food Program (WFP) has accused Israel of opening fire on a crowd of Palestinians seeking food assistance in northern Gaza, marking one of the deadliest incidents for aid-seekers in over 21 months of ongoing conflict. According to Gaza’s Health Ministry, at least 80 individuals were killed during the violence that erupted as Palestinians attempted to reach a convoy of trucks delivering food. The Israeli military, however, contended that it fired warning shots "to remove an immediate threat" and questioned the death toll reported by the Palestinians.
The WFP's condemnation is particularly significant as it reflects the gravity of the situation in Gaza. Witnesses and other sources corroborated allegations that Israeli forces fired on those trying to access aid. The humanitarian crisis has escalated, with desperate Palestinians pursuing food and resources amid an ongoing war that shows no signs of resolution. Ceasefire talks between Israel and Hamas continue, yet there has been no breakthrough in achieving a lasting peace.
As the conflict rages on, the toll on human life has been staggering, with Gaza's Health Ministry reporting over 58,800 Palestinian deaths, a figure that encompasses both militants and civilians. Notably, the ministry identifies that more than half of the deceased are women and children. Despite being part of the Hamas administration, the Health Ministry is viewed as a reliable source of casualty data by the U.N. and other international entities.
On the day of the violent incident, the WFP indicated that its food convoy, consisting of 25 trucks, faced gunfire from Israeli tanks and snipers. Their statement emphasized that the crowd was merely seeking food to stave off starvation, despite prior assurances from Israeli authorities that the delivery of aid would improve and that armed forces would not interfere along aid routes. The WFP urged an immediate cessation of shootings near humanitarian missions and convoys.
The Israeli military refrained from directly commenting on accusations made by the WFP. Military spokesperson Lt. Col. Nadav Shoshani shared a video where soldiers are heard instructing troops not to engage or shoot, emphasizing that they had been ordered to refrain from fire. However, journalists from international media have been barred from entering Gaza during the war, making it challenging to independently verify the conflicting claims.
As access to aid diminishes, seeking assistance has become increasingly dangerous. A support system backed by the U.S. and Israel that aims to provide aid has experienced violence and disorder, with reports indicating that violence has largely occurred outside its designated sites. Healthcare officials in Gaza reported that since the previous night, additional Israeli strikes had resulted in at least 13 fatalities, including women and children.
The strikes continued to devastate other locations in Gaza, with a deadly attack in Khan Younis reported to have killed at least five people, including children. The Israeli military holds Hamas responsible for the resulting civilian casualties, as the group is alleged to operate within populated areas. The catalyst for the ongoing conflict dates back to October 7, 2023, when Hamas militants attacked southern Israel, leading to a tragic loss of approximately 1,200 lives.
Moreover, the conflict in Gaza has prompted tensions in surrounding regions, including confrontations between Israel and Iranian-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen, who have launched missiles at Israel in response to the situation in Gaza. Recently, the Israeli military stated it targeted the Hodeidah port in Yemen, which it claims is used by the Houthis to receive weapons and conduct attacks against Israel, asserting that civilian infrastructures are being exploited for militant purposes.
