97 more Palestinians killed over last 24 hours in Gaza
Over the last 24 hours alone, 97 Palestinian bodies, including two recently recovered, were brought to hospitals, alongside 440 wounded individuals.
Medical sources in Gaza reported on Wednesday that the death toll from Israel's ongoing military offensive has reached 54,607, the vast majority of whom are women and children, since the start of the war on October 7, 2023.
Since March 18, 2025, health authorities report 4,335 deaths and more than 13,300 injuries-figures that continue to climb daily.
UN says 'deliberate' choices 'systematically' depriving Gazans
The UN aid chief said on Wednesday that recent "horrifying scenes" of Gazans being killed while seeking food aid were the result of "deliberate choices that have systematically deprived" them of essentials to survive.
A US and Israeli-backed group operating aid sites in the Gaza Strip announced the temporary closure of its facilities on Wednesday, with the Israeli army warning that roads leading to distribution centres were "considered combat zones."
The announcement by the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation follows a string of deadly incidents near the distribution sites it operates.
On Tuesday, 27 people were killed in southern Gaza when Israeli troops opened fire near a GHF aid site, with the military saying the incident was under investigation.
"The world is watching, day after day, horrifying scenes of Palestinians being shot, wounded or killed in Gaza while simply trying to eat," UN humanitarian chief Tom Fletcher said in a statement.
"Emergency medical teams have confirmed treating hundreds of trauma cases. Yesterday alone, dozens were declared dead at hospitals after Israeli forces said they had opened fire.
"This is the outcome of a series of deliberate choices that have systematically deprived two million people of the essentials they need to survive."
He echoed the call by UN chief Antonio Guterres for immediate independent investigations, saying they were not isolated incidents, and the perpetrators must be held accountable. "No-one should have to risk their life to feed their children," said Fletcher.
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