Israeli fire kills 73 aid seekers, Gaza civil defence reports

Gaza’s Humanitarian Crisis Worsens

Deprived civilians face relentless shortages of food, medicine, and water amid ongoing conflict. The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) reports that 25 aid convoys have been repeatedly targeted, causing hundreds of casualties and destroying critical supply chains.

Disaster at Aid Points

Israeli forces opened fire on crowds attempting to collect essential supplies. 73 people were killed and dozens wounded on Sunday when the army targeted aid centers in the north. In the south near Rafah, six others were shot while dozens of civilians lost their lives that day.

Conflicting Accounts

• The WFP says its convoy “encountered massive crowds struggling to eat, which were suddenly shot at near Gaza City.”
• Israel claims soldiers fired warning shots “to remove an immediate threat” as thousands gathered.
• Humanitarian groups denote these incidents as “regular occurrences” and caution that 800 aid seekers have been killed since late May.

Eyewitness Testimony

Qasem Abu Khater, 36, describes a chaotic scene: “Tanks fired shells randomly, and Israeli snipers shot as if hunting in a forest. Dozens died right before my eyes—no one could rescue anyone.” Militant zones remain inaccessible, making verification difficult from Gaza’s media restrictions.

Papal Advocacy for Peace

Following Israel’s attack on the Holy Family Church on October 7, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu expressed regret to Pope Leo XIV. The pope’s condemnation of the “barbarity” of Gaza’s war calls for adherence to humanitarian law and protection of civilians. The Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, Pierbattista Pizzaballa, conducted a mass at the destroyed church after a rare visit.

Expanding Military Operations

Gaza’s population of more than two million has been displaced at least once, prompting repeated evacuation calls. On Sunday, the Israeli military urged residents in Deir el-Balah to move south immediately, announcing a strategy “expanding activities against Hamas where it has never operated before.” Families of hostages fear that the offensive could harm loved ones.

Negotiations Toward Ceasefire

In indirect talks over the past two weeks, Israel and Hamas propose a 60‑day ceasefire and the release of ten hostages. Of the 251 hostages abducted by Hamas, 49 remain in Gaza. Israel reports that 27 of those hostages have died.

Conclusion: Gaza’s humanitarian situation remains dire as conflicts over aid convoys, civilian protection, and peace negotiations continue to unfold.