Israeli forces kill dozens of Palestinians seeking aid in Gaza, health officials say

While the Israeli military designates specific routes during certain hours to access the sites, much of the area surrounding the facilities is considered a combat zone outside of those times. And while GHF has warned Palestinians to avoid trying to access the sites outside of operating hours, many across the enclave feel they have no choice but to walk for hours overnight and into the morning to reach distribution areas early enough to secure a portion of the limited aid available.

Many still come away hungry after failing to reach the sites early enough.

After ending the blockade, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that only “basic aid” would be allowed into Gaza. He did not elaborate.

Humanitarian groups have warned that in a population of around 2.1 million, the aid distributed so far is a drop in the ocean of what is needed. The United Nations and humanitarian organizations have condemned the new distribution program, saying it has put Palestinian lives at risk while also undermining a long-standing aid framework in the enclave.

Before the war began, around 500 trucks carrying aid and goods were entering the enclave daily, according to the British Red Cross and other humanitarian groups. Since then, the flow of aid has been inconsistent, grinding to a halt under Israel’s blockade.

Israel launched its offensive after the Hamas-led Oct. 7, 2023, attacks in which some 1,200 people were killed and around 250 taken hostage, according to Israeli officials, marking a major escalation in a decadeslong conflict.

Since then, more than 55,000 people, including thousands of children, have been killed in the Gaza Strip, according to the local Health Ministry, with much of the enclave destroyed.