logo
Gaza Rescuers Say Israeli Fire Kills 20 Aid Seekers, UN Decries ‘Horrifying Suffering'

Gaza Rescuers Say Israeli Fire Kills 20 Aid Seekers, UN Decries ‘Horrifying Suffering'

Asharq Al-Awsat16-06-2025
Gaza's civil defense agency said that Israeli gunfire killed 20 people waiting for aid in the south of the Palestinian territory on Monday.
Civil defense spokesman Mahmud Bassal told AFP that "20 martyrs and more than 200 wounded by occupation gunfire... were transferred to the Red Cross field hospital in the Al-Mawasi area of Khan Younis, then to Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis".
He added that the people had been waiting to reach an aid center in Rafah "when the occupation forces opened fire" near the Al-Alam roundabout.
When asked by AFP, the Israeli military said it was checking the reports.
The UN human rights chief said Israel's warfare in Gaza is inflicting 'horrifying, unconscionable suffering' on Palestinians and urged government leaders to exert pressure on Israel's government and the Hamas movement to end it.
'Israel's means and methods of warfare are inflicting horrifying, unconscionable suffering on Palestinians in Gaza,' Volker Türk told the 47-member Human Rights Council in an address that raised concerns about the escalating conflict between Iran and Israel and the fallout from sweeping US tariffs among other topics.
Israeli authorities have regularly accused the council of anti-Israel bias, and the Trump administration has kept the United States out of its proceedings.
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Hamas Slams Israeli Aid as 'Deceptive Starvation Tactics'
Hamas Slams Israeli Aid as 'Deceptive Starvation Tactics'

Leaders

timean hour ago

  • Leaders

Hamas Slams Israeli Aid as 'Deceptive Starvation Tactics'

Hamas on Sunday condemned Israel's humanitarian aid airdrops and limited corridor operations in Gaza, calling these efforts 'deceptive tactics' aimed at hiding Israel's deeper intentions to impose starvation and control the population. In a strong statement, Hamas accused Israel of using airdrops and so-called safe corridors as tools to manage famine, coercion, and civilian suffering, arguing that delivering food and medicine is a fundamental right, not a favor, and essential to end the ongoing catastrophe. Additionally, Hamas insists the only solution to the humanitarian crisis involves ending the violence, breaking the blockade, and reopening all border crossings. The group blamed Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for orchestrating policies that have caused widespread civilian casualties and suffering. Furthermore, Hamas labeled the aid operations and starvation as 'war crimes,' urging the international community to increase diplomatic and grassroots pressure, demanding a full end to the siege and the preventable suffering of Palestinians. Continued Aid Efforts Amid Escalating Violence Despite Israel's aid airdrops and temporary ceasefires, violence persists as the Israeli forces have repeatedly opened fire on Palestinians near distribution centers, causing many casualties. Since October 7, 2023, Israel's military campaign has resulted in over 59,700 Palestinian deaths, according to local health authorities. The relentless attacks have devastated Gaza, leading to critical food shortages and widespread suffering. In November, the International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, as both figures face charges related to war crimes and crimes against humanity. Meanwhile, Israel launched an alternative aid distribution through the U.S.-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, with critics arguing that this move bypasses international organizations and hampers coordinated relief efforts. As tensions continue, the international community debates Israel's tactics and the growing humanitarian crisis, with many call for urgent action to end the conflict and address the dire needs of Gaza's civilians. Short link : Post Views: 6

Aid Trucks Start Entering Gaza from Egypt Amid Humanitarian Catastrophe
Aid Trucks Start Entering Gaza from Egypt Amid Humanitarian Catastrophe

Leaders

timean hour ago

  • Leaders

Aid Trucks Start Entering Gaza from Egypt Amid Humanitarian Catastrophe

After several months of international pressure and increasing warnings from relief agencies about Israel's starvation of Palestinians, aid trucks began moving toward Gaza from Egypt, according to Reuters. Israel announced on Saturday that it started aid airdrops to Gaza and is currently taking several other steps to alleviate the humanitarian catastrophe in the Palestinian enclave. The Egyptian state-affiliated Al Qahera News TV has released several photos for dozens of trucks carrying tons of humanitarian aid and moving toward the Karam Abu Salem (Kerem Shalom) crossing in southern Gaza. To ensure the safe movement of United Nations convoys carrying aid to Gaza, the Israeli military said that there would be 'humanitarian corridors.' Moreover, the densely populated areas would have 'humanitarian pauses.' Israel's Foreign Ministry said the military would 'apply a 'humanitarian pause' in civilian centers and in humanitarian corridors' on Sunday morning. Israel's announcement on airdrops came after indirect ceasefire talks with Hamas in Doha collapsed without a deal in sight. Israel Accuses UN of Failure Crucially, Israel claimed it has allowed enough food into Gaza and accused the United Nations of failing to distribute it properly. On the contrary, the UN says it is operating as effectively as possible under the constraints imposed by Israeli restrictions. 'The IDF emphasizes that there is no starvation in the Gaza Strip; this is a false campaign promoted by Hamas,' the Israeli military said in its Saturday statement. Dozens of Gazans including children have lost their soles due to malnutrition throughout the 21 months of war, according to the Gaza Health Ministry. Since the beginning of Hamas-Israel War in Gaza in 2023, the Israeli strikes have killed more than 59,000 Palestinians wounded more than 142,000, according to Gaza's Health Ministry. Related Topics: Israel Announces 'Tactical Pauses' across 3 Parts in Gaza amid Starvation Crisis UK to Hold Urgent Talks with France, Germany over Gaza War Canada Condemns Israel over Gaza's 'Humanitarian Disaster' Short link : Post Views: 7

Saudi Arabia Reaffirms Commitment to Palestinian Cause Ahead of Two-State Solution Conference
Saudi Arabia Reaffirms Commitment to Palestinian Cause Ahead of Two-State Solution Conference

Leaders

timean hour ago

  • Leaders

Saudi Arabia Reaffirms Commitment to Palestinian Cause Ahead of Two-State Solution Conference

Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan emphasized on Sunday that the upcoming high-level conference on the two-state solution in New York reflects Kingdom's firm stance on the Palestinian cause and its continuous efforts to maintain a just and comprehensive peace, according to Al Arabiya. Prince Faisal's remarks come as Saudi Arabia prepares to co-chair, alongside France, a conference this week in order to advance a two-state solution to the Israel-Palestine conflict. 'We look forward to pushing towards the implementation of international…resolutions that call for the establishment of two states in which the Palestinians can enjoy their independent state, [contributing to] achieving peace and stability for the region, and advancing it towards development and prosperity,' the prince said. Set to take place at the UN headquarters in New York, the conference supports the efforts of the Global Alliance for the Implementation of the two-state solution. This alliance represents a remarkable initiative launched by Prince Faisal in September 2024. In this context, he noted that the Kingdom is exerting all its efforts to establish a just peace in the Middle East region under the leadership of King Salman and the follow-up by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. He also stated that Saudi Arabia is striving to 'put an end to the sufferings of Palestinians and to stop the circle of violence.' French President Emmanuel Macron has recently revealed his plan to recognize a Palestinian state at the UN General Assembly in September. In a response, the Kingdom has commended Macron's step, and the Saudi Foreign Ministry called the announcement 'historic' and urged other countries to follow suit. Related Topics: Israel Announces 'Tactical Pauses' across 3 Parts in Gaza amid Starvation Crisis Canada Condemns Israel over Gaza's 'Humanitarian Disaster' UK to Hold Urgent Talks with France, Germany over Gaza War Short link : Post Views: 8

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store