According to reports by Al Jazeera and the Gaza Health Ministry, at least 118 Palestinians have been killed and 581 wounded during Israeli air and ground strikes across Gaza over the last 24 hours, as reported by Israeli air and ground strikes across Gaza.
What’s Happened? Recent strikes–some of the deadliest seen so far–have been concentrated in areas with dense populations such as displacement camps, residential zones and humanitarian aid distribution sites.
12 aid seekers were shot dead while visiting United States- and Israeli-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF) aid centers since May 27, when this new mechanism went into effect, with more than 6,52 people having been killed there and over 4,500 others injured, according to various news sources, including The Guardian, Dawn.com and Aujourd’hui L’orient Lejour.
Fatalities also occurred at a school sheltering displaced families west of Gaza City and an attack against the tent outside Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis by what appears to have been a drone; according to Al Jazeera.com and Dawn.com reports, 13 were reported killed at al-Mawasi and 11 at Mustafa Hafez School respectively, reported Al Jazeera.com + 3 AND Reuter’s.com +3 [strikethrough].
Where and How
Khan Younis and Gaza City Region: According to reports by the Gaza Government Media Office, an unprecedented surge of violence occurred, citing 26 “bloody massacres” with over 300 casualties within 48 hours–with nearly half occurring within 24 hours (aljazeera.com).
Witnesses described an “earthquake-like” onslaught from drones and tanks, leaving victims “burning for hours without aid”. today.lorientlejour.com +15; aljazeera.com = 15 and dawn.com = 15.
The IDF has confirmed its intensified operations targeting Hamas militants and infrastructure before potential ceasefire talks mediated by the United States; details on civilian casualties remain uncertain.
Humanitarian Crisis Deepens With over 57,000 deaths and 135,000 injuries reported since March, including hundreds from Gaza itself, healthcare systems in Gaza have come tumbling down, pushing towards collapse a healthcare system already struggling under enormous strain – see Guardian.com (+1), Reuter’s.com (+1), En.wikipedia.org +4, Dawn +4 and Time (+4) as indicators.
Gaza’s remaining medical facilities are straining under an increased demand as aid deliveries falter and civilians face dire conditions due to permanent displacement.
Ceasefire Prospects
The rise in violence comes amid renewed efforts for a U.S.-brokered 60-day ceasefire and hostage exchange facilitated by Qatar and Egypt. A framework includes Israel releasing living hostages in exchange for Palestinian prisoners; however Hamas insists upon full war termination beforehand (Dawn.com +2). For more on this story visit Reuter’s.com (in Arabic only).
U.S.-led negotiations on Palestine remain on track in Washington, spearheaded by Israeli officials including Strategic Affairs Minister Ron Dermer of Strategic Affairs Ministry Ron Dermer; talks are continuing ahead of a potential White House meeting and can be found here: reuters.com+1 (this link requires registration to access).
International Reaction
On July 3rd, UN Special Rapporteur Francesca Albanese called upon states to implement an arms embargo against Israel and cut trade with them, in response to what she termed Israel’s “genocidal campaign” in Gaza with rising civilian deaths, according to Al Jazeera and The Guardian reports (plus Dawn.com for news and analysis).
Humanitarian agencies have demanded an independent investigation into attacks against aid centers and any possible misuse of force by security personnel involved with the new distribution system.
Recent attacks are yet another tragic development for Gaza, as civilian zones remain caught in the crossfire. Now that tentative ceasefire talks have started, global observers are exerting greater pressure for safeguards to protect civilians and ensure humanitarian corridors remain accessible.