26 Killed, Over 100 Injured Near Aid Centres in Gaza Amid Ongoing Conflict

TDT | Manama

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At least 26 people were killed and more than 100 injured following Israeli attacks near two aid distribution centres in southern Gaza, according to Gaza’s civil defence agency.

Mahmud Basal, a spokesperson for the agency, said that 22 people lost their lives near a site southwest of Khan Yunis, while four more were killed near another distribution point northwest of Rafah. He attributed the casualties to what he described as "Israeli gunfire."

One of the survivors, 37-year-old Abdul Aziz Abed, told AFP that he and five of his relatives had gone to the Al-Tina area in Khan Yunis before dawn in hopes of securing food.

“We just wanted something to eat,” he said. “But as soon as we arrived, Israeli soldiers opened fire. My relatives and I didn’t get any food – just fear and exhaustion.”

The Israeli military has stated that it is reviewing the incident, but no further details were given.

Due to ongoing restrictions and limited access for journalists, media outlets including AFP are unable to independently verify the exact number of casualties or details of the attacks.

Since the conflict began on October 7, 2023, following a deadly assault by Hamas on Israel, humanitarian conditions in Gaza have worsened dramatically. More than two million residents in the densely populated coastal strip are facing extreme shortages of food, clean water, and medical supplies. Health officials in the area have also reported a sharp rise in cases of severe malnutrition.

Tragically, incidents of people being killed or injured while waiting in long queues for aid have become increasingly common. Palestinian authorities continue to point to Israeli fire as the cause of these deadly incidents.