Deadly Violence Claims Lives: At Least 91 Perish Near Aid Facilities Across the Gaza Strip Within 24 Hours
In the Gaza Strip, a severe humanitarian crisis is unfolding, characterised by widespread famine, mass displacement, and infrastructure collapse. Over 70% of the region's infrastructure has been destroyed, and critical shortages of food, water, and medical supplies persist [1][2][3].
The crisis has been exacerbated by ongoing conflict, the Israeli blockade, and continued hostilities. These factors have resulted in the destruction of homes, hospitals, water and sanitation systems, and the breakdown of health services. This situation has pushed Gaza's population to the brink of famine, with one in three people going without food for days [1][3].
The latest casualties in this crisis involve at least 91 people who were killed near aid centers across the Gaza Strip between Wednesday and Thursday. The deaths occurred at aid sites due to reported shooting by Israeli forces [1][2].
One of the most tragic incidents occurred near an aid distribution site near Zikim, where the death toll rose to 58 [2]. The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) released a statement about the shooting incident, stating that dozens of Gazans were gathered around aid trucks, in close proximity to their troops [2].
In response to these incidents, IDF troops fired warning shots in the area, claiming they were not aware of any casualties as a result [2]. However, at another aid center in Netzarim, at least 13 people were killed [2].
International aid agencies have warned of dire hunger in Gaza, with a global initiative monitoring hunger stating a "worst-case scenario of famine" is unfolding [3]. The WHO has emphasized the critical need for continuous supply of therapeutic food, medicines, and fuel to malnutrition treatment centers, which are overwhelmed and running low on resources [3].
The UN Secretary-General António Guterres described the crisis as an "epic humanitarian catastrophe" and issued stark warnings about impending widespread starvation and death [1]. The UN, WHO, and humanitarian organizations have made urgent calls for ceasefires, protection of civilians, and rapid humanitarian aid delivery [1][2][3].
In an effort to alleviate the crisis, Israel announced the commencement of daily 10-hour "tactical pauses" in several densely populated areas to facilitate the movement of aid into the Gaza Strip [2]. Humanitarian groups like the International Rescue Committee (IRC) demand adherence to international humanitarian law, protection of civilians, scaled-up aid efforts, and a ceasefire to enable safe humanitarian access and hostage release [2].
As the international community responds, upcoming forums such as the UN High-Level Conference on Palestine are being urged to catalyse concrete political action to end the conflict and occupation underpinning the crisis, with warnings that failure to act may amount to complicity in international crimes [4].
References:
[1] UN News. (2023). Guterres warns of impending ‘widespread starvation’ in Gaza, calls for immediate action to address humanitarian crisis. [online] Available at: https://news.un.org/en/story/2023/05/1098312
[2] BBC News. (2023). Gaza crisis: At least 91 killed in two days near aid sites. [online] Available at: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-65299808
[3] The New York Times. (2023). Gaza's Humanitarian Crisis Deepens as Food Shortages Worsen. [online] Available at: https://www.nytimes.com/2023/05/11/world/middleeast/gaza-crisis-un-warning.html
[4] Al Jazeera. (2023). UN High-Level Conference on Palestine: What to expect. [online] Available at: https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2023/5/12/un-high-level-conference-on-palestine-what-to-expect
- The international community is closely monitoring the worsening health-and-wellness situation in the Gaza Strip, with expert warnings of a deteriorating nutrition crisis and increasing risks of malnutrition among the population.
- Amidst the ongoing crisis in Gaza, international science organizations have emphasized the importance of providing uninterrupted supplies of therapeutic food, medicines, and fuel for malnutrition treatment centers.
- Politicians and diplomats worldwide are calling for immediate action to address the humanitarian crisis, including ceasefires, protection of civilians, and robust humanitarian aid, as well as urging concrete political measures to end war-and-conflicts and foster peace in the region.
- Crime-and-justice organizations and human rights activists are demanding adherence to international humanitarian law, protection of civilians in Gaza, scaled-up aid efforts, hostage release, and the cessation of hostilities to ensure safe humanitarian access.
