Middle East 67 Killed Near UN Aid Convoy in Gaza; Israel Denies Full Toll

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Picture courtesy of HIran Media Center

 

In a harrowing incident, Israeli forces allegedly killed 67 Palestinians as they waited for UN aid in northern Gaza, according to the territory's Hamas-run health ministry. Reports suggest that gunfire caught the victims shortly after a 25-truck convoy from the UN World Food Programme crossed from Israel. The IDF claims they fired "warning shots" to address an "immediate threat," while disputing the number of casualties.

 

Hunger and exhaustion exacerbate the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. The ministry issued warnings of severe malnutrition, citing reports of civilians arriving in dire states at facilities. The UN echoed these sentiments, declaring that civilians face starvation and urgently require essential goods. In the past day alone, 18 deaths have been attributed to famine.

 

Elsewhere in Gaza, six additional fatalities occurred while people waited for aid, alongside over 150 injuries. There have now been 88 confirmed deaths as a result of Israeli actions on Sunday. The overcrowded Shifa hospital in Gaza City has received many victims. Dr. Hassan al-Shaer described the situation as critical, with field hospitals taking on overflow cases.

 

Personal accounts from the area present a dire picture. A woman conveyed the extreme hardship, stating that children rely solely on water and salt for survival. Growing reports reveal Palestinians being killed while seeking food, reminiscent of past operations where 32 people died near aid distribution points under Israeli fire.

 

Often embroiled in controversy, the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation has come under scrutiny for its operations, which involve using private security to distribute aid in military zones. Despite this, tragedies also occur near UN-led aid efforts. The IDF's evacuation orders for Deir al-Balah have sparked panic, raising the possibility of military advances.

 

Residents face the fear of an imminent ground offensive, with tens of thousands urged to move towards al-Mawasi. Leaflets demanding evacuations create uncertainty, particularly for those fearing loved ones' safety, including hostages possibly held in the area. Currently, efforts remain limited to air strikes, with ground troops yet to engage.

 

Israeli sources suggest hostages could be among the motivations for measured military presence in certain districts. With speculation mounting, the IDF maintains its operations aimed at dismantling terrorist capabilities without ground incursions in specific neighbourhoods.

 

The conflict’s toll is enormous, with over two million people displaced and ongoing relocations becoming a cruel norm. Pope Leo XIV's recent comments, advocating for an "immediate end to the barbarity", underscore the global call for peace as the international community anxiously awaits developments.

 

The Pope's statements followed a devastating strike on Gaza's sole Catholic Church, an act deeply regretted by Israeli leadership. The conflict, ignited by Hamas's attacks on 7 October 2023, continues to claim lives, with more than 58,895 deaths reported in Gaza since its inception.

 

Resolution remains elusive, as world leaders and organisations call for decisive humanitarian interventions. The situation demands urgent diplomatic efforts to mitigate further loss of life and halt the cycle of violence devastating both communities.

 

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from BBC 2025-07-21