In a deadly escalation of violence, Israeli airstrikes have killed 12 Palestinian guards protecting humanitarian aid trucks in southern Gaza, local medics and the Hamas-run Civil Defence authority report. The attacks, which occurred in Rafah and Khan Younis, are being described as a brutal assault on efforts to deliver desperately needed supplies to the starving population.
Seven guards were killed in Rafah as they shielded aid lorries transporting flour to United Nations warehouses, while a second strike in Khan Younis claimed the lives of five more. Mahmoud Basal, spokesman for Gaza’s Civil Defence, condemned the strikes, saying, “The occupation once again targeted those securing the aid trucks.” He added that dozens, mostly children, were wounded in the attacks.
The Israeli military justified the strikes, claiming they targeted “armed Hamas terrorists” allegedly planning to hijack the aid convoys. However, Palestinians argue these actions exacerbate the already dire humanitarian crisis, as Gaza grapples with catastrophic food shortages and widespread suffering.
In a separate attack near the Nuseirat refugee camp, Israeli airstrikes killed at least 15 people, including six children, while an additional strike in Gaza City left six dead, according to local officials. Families mourning their loved ones decried the relentless bombardment that has devastated the enclave for months.
Israel’s military campaign, launched after Hamas’ October 7 attack that left around 1,200 Israelis dead, has resulted in staggering casualties in Gaza. The Hamas-run health ministry reports over 44,800 Palestinians have been killed, the majority women and children, since the war began.
Human rights organizations have accused Israel of committing atrocities in its relentless offensive, targeting civilians and infrastructure critical for survival. The strikes on aid convoys raise serious concerns about Israel’s commitment to facilitating humanitarian relief, as hunger and desperation grip Gaza’s 2.3 million residents.
As international mediators continue to push for a ceasefire, hopes for ending the violence remain elusive. Reports of potential negotiations for the release of remaining hostages offer a glimmer of hope, but for Gaza’s devastated population, survival grows more uncertain by the day.
