Gaza: Israeli military operations in Gaza continued unabated on Tuesday, with the latest round of airstrikes near a humanitarian aid centre in southern Gaza killing at least 27 civilians and injuring dozens more, according to local health officials.
The attack reportedly occurred as thousands of Palestinians had gathered to receive humanitarian assistance at a distribution point. Eyewitness accounts suggest that Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) opened fire during the aid delivery, causing mass casualties. This marks the third such strike near aid centres in the past three days.
The militant group Hamas condemned the strike, accusing Israel of targeting starving civilians and describing the attack as a “grave violation of international humanitarian law.”
A representative from the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) reported that more than 180 people have died so far at a hospital in Rafah, with at least 19 of them succumbing before reaching medical facilities. The ICRC stressed the urgent need for medical supplies and emergency care for the injured.
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The ongoing conflict traces back to October 2023, when Hamas launched a surprise attack on Israel. Since then, Israel has mounted a sustained offensive aimed at dismantling the Hamas infrastructure in Gaza. According to local administrative sources, over 54,000 people have been killed in Gaza since the escalation began.
Though Israel recently granted limited access for humanitarian aid into Gaza, strikes near distribution zones have continued, raising international concerns. Aid agencies warn that ongoing military operations are severely hampering relief efforts and exacerbating the humanitarian crisis in the region.