By WAFAA SHURAFA and SAMY MAGDY
DEIR AL-BALAH, Gaza Strip — Dozens of Palestinians have been killed or wounded on Monday as determined crowds headed towards meals distribution factors and airdropped parcels within the Gaza Strip, in keeping with witnesses and native well being officers.
Israel’s blockade and army offensive have made it almost unimaginable to securely ship support, contributing to the territory’s slide towards famine almost 22 months into the battle with Hamas. Assist teams say Israel’s week-old measures to permit extra support in are removed from adequate. Households of hostages in Gaza worry hunger impacts them too, however blame Hamas.
Hamas has been designated as a terrorist group by america, Canada and the European Union.
A number of hundred Palestinians have been killed by Israeli hearth since Could whereas heading towards meals distribution websites and support convoys, in keeping with witnesses, native well being officers and the United Nations human rights workplace. The army says it has solely fired warning pictures and disputes the toll.
As worldwide alarm has mounted, a number of nations have airdropped support over Gaza. The U.N. and support teams name such drops expensive and harmful for residents, and say they ship far much less support than vehicles.
Palestinians carry humanitarian support packages close to a Gaza Humanitarian Basis distribution middle operated by the U.S.-backed group, in Netzarim, central Gaza Strip, Monday, Aug. 4, 2025. (AP Picture/Abdel Kareem Hana)
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Palestinians carry humanitarian support packages close to a Gaza Humanitarian Basis distribution middle operated by the U.S.-backed group, in Netzarim, central Gaza Strip, Monday, Aug. 4, 2025. (AP Picture/Abdel Kareem Hana)
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AP video exhibits scramble for airdropped support
Many meals parcels dropped by air have splashed into the Mediterranean Sea or landed in so-called pink zones from which Israel’s army has ordered folks to evacuate. In both case, Palestinians threat their lives to get flour and different primary items.
On Monday, Palestinians cheered as pallets of support have been parachuted over Zuweida in central Gaza. Related Press footage confirmed a determined scramble when the parcels hit the bottom, with lots of of individuals racing towards them. Fistfights broke out and a few males wielded batons.
“I want they might ship it by the (land) crossings,” Rabah Rabah stated earlier as he waited for the airdrop. “That is inhuman.”
No less than one parcel fell on a tent the place displaced folks had been sheltering, injuring a person who was taken to a hospital. His situation was not instantly identified.
Dozens killed in search of support
No less than 16 folks have been killed late Sunday close to the Israeli-controlled Zikim Crossing, the primary entry level for support to northern Gaza, in keeping with data at Shifa Hospital in Gaza Metropolis, which confirmed that greater than 130 folks have been wounded.
The circumstances weren’t instantly clear, however the crossing has seen a number of shootings in latest days that witnesses and well being officers blamed on Israeli forces. There was no instant remark from the army.
No less than 10 folks have been killed as 1000’s waited for support vehicles within the Morag Hall, which the Israeli army carved out between the southern cities of Khan Younis and Rafah.
Mohammed al-Masri, who was among the many crowds, stated Israeli forces opened hearth when a bunch of younger males tried to make their solution to the entrance. “The occupation forces shot many individuals within the head and within the again,” he stated, including that he noticed 4 wounded folks, one immobile on the bottom.
Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis stated it acquired 10 our bodies from Morag and one other 5 who have been killed close to an support web site in southern Gaza run by the Gaza Humanitarian Basis, an Israeli-backed American contractor.
GHF stated there have been no violent incidents at or close to its websites. It stated a brand new U.N. route runs close to two of its websites within the south and has drawn massive crowds of people that unload the convoys. GHF says its contractors have solely used pepper spray or fired warning pictures on just a few events to forestall lethal crowding because it opened 4 websites in Could.
‘It’s a dying lure’
Al-Awda Hospital in central Gaza stated it acquired the our bodies of eight folks killed close to a GHF web site within the Israeli-controlled Netzarim Hall, and that one other 50 folks have been wounded. Witnesses and well being officers stated Israeli forces had fired towards the crowds.
An Related Press picture confirmed a person carrying a physique away from the location, as others hauled luggage of meals.
“It’s like yesterday, and the day earlier than,” stated Ayman Ruqab, a younger Palestinian who stated he had tried unsuccessfully to achieve the location for the previous three days. “It’s a dying lure.”
The Israeli army stated it fired warning pictures at individuals who approached “in a fashion that posed a risk to the troops,” with out elaborating. It stated it was not conscious of any casualties.
Hamas-led terrorists killed round 1,200 folks, largely civilians, and kidnapped 251 within the Oct. 7, 2023, assault that ignited the battle. They nonetheless maintain 50 hostages, round 20 of them believed to be alive, after a lot of the relaxation have been launched in ceasefires or different offers.
Israel’s retaliatory army offensive has killed greater than 60,900 Palestinians, in keeping with Gaza’s Well being Ministry. The ministry, which doesn’t distinguish between civilians and combatants in its rely however says round half the lifeless have been girls and youngsters, is staffed by medical professionals. The U.N. and different impartial specialists view its figures as probably the most dependable casualty rely.
Israel has disputed the figures however hasn’t offered its personal.
Magdy reported from Cairo.
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