The Hamas-run Health Ministry says more than 30,000 Palestinians have been killed in Gaza since October 7. That day, at least 104 people were reportedly killed in a crowd of Palestinians who had gathered in Gaza City to receive humanitarian aid. According to health authorities, at least 280 people were injured in the incident.
There were conflicting reports about the events leading to the deaths. A witness being treated for a gunshot wound told the AP that Israeli troops opened fire on the crowd and the Hamas-run health authority said people were shot. The IDF said that “dozens were killed and injured as a result of being pushed, trampled and run over by the trucks” and was investigating the incident.
Israeli government spokesman Avi Hyman said: “We are not quite sure of the details yet” and described the incident during the aid distribution as a “tragedy”. An Israeli military official claimed that after an initial clash in which dozens were injured or killed, “soldiers fired warning shots in the air and then fired at those who posed a threat and did not move away.” Palestinian President Mahmoud AbbasHis office said he condemned what it called “the ugly massacre of the Israeli occupying army.”
Hamas warned that negotiations for the release of hostages could be halted following the incident. A statement said: “The negotiations conducted by the leadership of the movement are not an open process at the expense of the blood of our people.”
The Israeli military released a video of what it said were people looting aid trucks in Gaza ahead of the incident. Due to forced relocation and lack of access to aid, authorities have warned that much of Gaza's population is suffering from food shortages. A screening in January found that one in six children under the age of two was malnourished, as it was reported yesterday that one in five pregnant women being treated at a clinic in Gaza are also malnourished.
A White House National Security Spokesperson said the US was reviewing the reports. Egypt And Jordan issued separate statements condemning Israel after the incident. Egypt said: “We consider it a shameful crime and a blatant violation of international law to target peaceful citizens who rush to collect their share of aid.”
UN human rights chief Volker Türk said on Thursday that war crimes had been committed by all parties in the conflict between Israel and Hamasand called for them to be investigated and those responsible to be held accountable.
The Palestinian Authority received 407 million shekels (90 million pounds / 114 million US dollars / 105 million euros) from Israel, with further funding to be made available in the coming days after an agreement to release frozen tax money, the Norwegian government said on Thursday. Norway acts as an intermediary, holding tax revenue equal to what Israel estimates would have gone to Gaza, while the Palestinian Authority would receive the rest.
Israel is considering possible restrictions on access to the Al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem during the upcoming holy month of Ramadansaid a government spokesman. Right-wing extremist Interior Minister for Security Itamar Ben-Gvir said last week that there would be a quota for people wanting to attend prayers at Al-Aqsa Mosque during Ramadan. Israel has been restricting the number of mosque visitors since October 7th.
An Israeli strike hit a Hezbollah truck near the Lebanese-Syrian border on Thursday, killing at least one fighter. A security source familiar with the Iran-aligned group told Portal. A strike is near Homs In Syria was attributed to Israel by local media.
Israel seized several more areas of land near a large Jewish settlement in the occupied West Bank on Thursdaybut a source briefed on the decision told Portal there was no construction plan there.