Since dawn today, Israeli military operations launched before dawn have resulted in the deaths of at least 61 Palestinians across Gaza — many seeking aid — since dawn according to Gaza health authorities and medical sources. The strikes–drawing international condemnation–were directed against humanitarian distribution sites or deeper into populated regions heightening fears of a mounting humanitarian catastrophe.
Health Officials Report Deadly Strikes Near Aid Distribution Sites
According to health officials, close to 39 civilians waiting for humanitarian assistance near U.S.-backed aid points were killed by deadly strikes near Central Gaza’s Netzarim corridor and near Rafah on January 17. (For more details see Reuter’s reporting or Palstine Chronicle for additional coverage.) For the full article click here for full coverage via Reuter’s and Palstine Chronicle and Al Jazeera for coverage respectively
Witnesses reported soldiers firing live rounds despite clear signage warning of an area designated combat zone, with many civilian casualties reported among civilians as casualties and injuries sustained, many seriously, confirmed by al-Shifa Hospital spokesperson. Gaza’s Government Media Office strongly condemned what it described as an intentional policy of starvation directed towards aid seekers from both factions by targeting vulnerable aid seekers for “starvation”. For more details about what occurred during these incidents visit The Guardian +6 and Wikipedia +6 respectively
Today, Reuters quoted health ministry estimates of 41 people killed near aid distribution points–25 of which in Netzarim and six in Rafah–underscoring the risk associated with humanitarian zones in Gaza.
Today also saw Guardian and Reuter’s reports, respectively estimating 25 and 6 deaths at such distribution points respectively
Increased Violence Inside Gaza Hospital sources report that, in addition to those killed at aid-sites, around 10 additional Palestinians were killed by airstrikes targeting sites in southern Gaza’s Khan Younis region – these incidents took place as early as last Thursday (local hospital sources). (theguardian.com; reuters.com and dawn.com each reported such strikes with numbers between 15-19).
These strikes, conducted with drones and aircraft, reached residential neighborhoods, contributing to ongoing civilian casualties.
Humanitarian and International Response
Humanitarian groups have warned of catastrophic results of Israel’s blockade on Gaza. With Gaza already near famine, United Nations agencies and aid agencies warn of repeated attacks against distribution points as risking to collapse the delivery system altogether. Since October 2023 most independent observers have not been permitted entry.
Australia, Canada, Norway, New Zealand and the UK recently adopted Magnitsky-style sanctions against two Israeli security officials – Itamar Ben-Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich – due to their statements and roles in fuelling violence in Gaza and West Bank, reported The Guardian.com.
These sanctions reflect an increasing international concern over tactics targeting civilian populations.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu claimed “progress” in hostage negotiations; however, both Israel and Hamas have shown no desire to reinstate a ceasefire, with U.S., Egyptian, and Qatari diplomatic efforts remaining futile (reuters.com/+1: theguardian.com/+1 ).
What to Expect
Morning airstrikes continue to escalate in Gaza, raising its death toll further. Health authorities confirm that over 160 people have perished since operations started late May at aid sites–many shot while queueing up for food supplies at aljazeera.com, reuters.com and timesofindia.indiatimes.com, along with many more killed at aid sites since.
These staggering numbers point to a growing humanitarian crisis: an intersection of active conflict and widespread hunger.
Humanitarian organizations have decided against cooperating with the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), citing poor protection standards and lack of transparency (Dawn.com; Reuter’s; The Guardian).
The United Nations has stressed the need for secure missile-safe distribution zones and guaranteed corridors, citing repeated violence as making lifesaving aid efforts impossible.
As Israeli forces maintain operations inside Gaza, medical facilities are on the brink of collapse. Analysts and journalists warn that Israeli forces’ targeting of aid infrastructure puts at risk the lives of Gaza’s 2.3 million residents–something which could go beyond tactical military goals and drive Gaza deeper into chaos.