Israeli fire and airstrikes kill 35 in Gaza
GAZA: Israeli fire and airstrikes killed at least 35 Palestinians across the Gaza Strip, most of them near an aid distribution site operated by the US-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, local health authorities said.
Medics at Al-Awda and Al-Aqsa hospitals in central Gaza areas, where most of the casualties were moved to, said at least 15 people were killed as they tried to approach the GHF aid distribution site near the Netzarim corridor.
The rest were killed in separate attacks across the enclave, they added.
The Gaza Health Ministry said in a statement on Saturday that at least 274 people have so far been killed, and more than 2,000 wounded, near aid distribution sites since the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation began operations.
There has been no immediate comment by the Israeli military or the GHF on Saturday's incidents.
The GHF began distributing food packages in Gaza at the end of May, overseeing a new model of aid distribution which the UN says is neither impartial nor neutral.
The Gaza Health Ministry said in a statement on Saturday that at least 274 people have so far been killed, and more than 2,000 wounded, near aid distribution sites since the GHF began operations in Gaza.
Hamas, which denies Israeli charges that it steals aid, accused Israel of 'employing hunger as a weapon of war and turning aid distribution sites into traps of mass deaths of innocent civilians.'
Later on Saturday, health officials at Shifa Hospital in Gaza said Israeli fire killed at least 12 Palestinians, who gathered to wait for aid trucks along the coastal road north of the strip, taking Saturday's death toll to at least 35.
The Israeli military ordered residents of Khan Younis and the nearby towns of Abassan and Bani Suhaila in the southern Gaza Strip to leave their homes and head west toward the so-called humanitarian zone, saying it would forcefully work against 'terror organizations' in the area.
The war in Gaza erupted 20 months ago after militants raided Israel and took 251 hostages and killed 1,200 people on Oct. 7, 2023, Israel's single deadliest day.
Israel's military campaign has killed nearly 55,000 Palestinians, most of them civilians, according to health authorities in Gaza, and flattened much of the densely populated strip, which is home to more than 2 million people.
Most of the population is displaced, and malnutrition is widespread.
Despite efforts by the US, Egypt, and Qatar to restore a ceasefire in Gaza, neither Israel nor Hamas has shown willingness to back down on core demands, with each side blaming the other for the failure to reach a deal.
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Israeli fire and airstrikes kill 35 in Gaza
GAZA: Israeli fire and airstrikes killed at least 35 Palestinians across the Gaza Strip, most of them near an aid distribution site operated by the US-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, local health authorities said. Medics at Al-Awda and Al-Aqsa hospitals in central Gaza areas, where most of the casualties were moved to, said at least 15 people were killed as they tried to approach the GHF aid distribution site near the Netzarim corridor. The rest were killed in separate attacks across the enclave, they added. The Gaza Health Ministry said in a statement on Saturday that at least 274 people have so far been killed, and more than 2,000 wounded, near aid distribution sites since the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation began operations. There has been no immediate comment by the Israeli military or the GHF on Saturday's incidents. The GHF began distributing food packages in Gaza at the end of May, overseeing a new model of aid distribution which the UN says is neither impartial nor neutral. The Gaza Health Ministry said in a statement on Saturday that at least 274 people have so far been killed, and more than 2,000 wounded, near aid distribution sites since the GHF began operations in Gaza. Hamas, which denies Israeli charges that it steals aid, accused Israel of 'employing hunger as a weapon of war and turning aid distribution sites into traps of mass deaths of innocent civilians.' Later on Saturday, health officials at Shifa Hospital in Gaza said Israeli fire killed at least 12 Palestinians, who gathered to wait for aid trucks along the coastal road north of the strip, taking Saturday's death toll to at least 35. The Israeli military ordered residents of Khan Younis and the nearby towns of Abassan and Bani Suhaila in the southern Gaza Strip to leave their homes and head west toward the so-called humanitarian zone, saying it would forcefully work against 'terror organizations' in the area. The war in Gaza erupted 20 months ago after militants raided Israel and took 251 hostages and killed 1,200 people on Oct. 7, 2023, Israel's single deadliest day. Israel's military campaign has killed nearly 55,000 Palestinians, most of them civilians, according to health authorities in Gaza, and flattened much of the densely populated strip, which is home to more than 2 million people. Most of the population is displaced, and malnutrition is widespread. Despite efforts by the US, Egypt, and Qatar to restore a ceasefire in Gaza, neither Israel nor Hamas has shown willingness to back down on core demands, with each side blaming the other for the failure to reach a deal.
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This index, the first global benchmark of its kind, draws on 35,000 interviews across 35 countries and 12 pillars, including social cohesion, physical and mental health, the ability to disconnect, information quality, entertainment and culture, and access to services and goods. It aims to capture how equipped countries are to reap digital opportunities while shielding their citizens from risks. While digital technologies have brought undeniable convenience, connectivity and productivity to modern life, their impacts on physical and mental well-being are hard to ignore. Last year, the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development published a report titled 'The Impact of Digital Technologies on Well-Being,' in which it highlighted the growing links between digital tools and well-being. For instance, the report emphasized the growing mental health risks associated with frequent digital technology use, such as anxiety, depression, loneliness and stress. Physically, the extended use of digital technologies has been linked to obesity, poor posture, poor sleep quality, neck and eye strain, and other musculoskeletal issues — primarily due to sedentary behavior and excessive screen time. It is imperative to counter the ever-growing risks of harmful content and misinformation that circulate on digital platforms. Sara Al-Mulla And yet, digital transformation could be a game-changer for the MENA region, unlocking enormous economic and social gains. According to a report published by the World Bank, if digital transformation is leveraged in a competitive manner, the region has the potential to increase gross domestic product per capita by more than 40 percent. Employment in manufacturing could also rise by 7 percent, while tourist arrivals may see a 70 percent jump. Even more promising, digitalization could alleviate long-term unemployment, bringing it to near-zero, while doubling women's participation in the workforce to more than 40 percent. Many countries are already leading the way. Launched in 2021, the UAE's National Policy for Digital Wellbeing was introduced with the aim of fostering safe, purposeful and positive digital communities. Another example is Saudi Arabia's signature Sync initiative, which was launched as part of the country's growing focus on digital well-being. This awareness and preventive program focuses on encouraging healthier tech habits in order to curb the rising toll of screen overuse on society. France offers a compelling case study, as it issued a law in 2017 enshrining the 'right to disconnect,' meaning employees are not obliged to answer work-related calls or emails outside their working hours. Meanwhile, Singapore and the UK have embedded digital mental health frameworks into school curricula. 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For instance, Saudi Arabia's Ministry of Health tackles this issue on its official website, offering screen time recommendations for children up to 18 years old, in line with guidelines from the American Academy of Pediatrics. Governments could also support workshops, community programs and mental health counseling to counter rising incidents of cyberbullying, anxiety, depression and social isolation. At the same time, parents and teachers must be empowered through awareness programs, such as utilizing parental control tools on popular apps. Creating safe digital spaces, particularly for vulnerable groups, calls for strong data protection measures and bold anti-cyberbullying policies. Age-appropriate regulations that protect children online are key and considering capping the time they spend on social media could be worthwhile. Additionally, it is imperative to counter the ever-growing risks of harmful content and misinformation that circulate on digital platforms, such as misleading health information. Connectivity and universal access should remain a priority, particularly with digital economic empowerment being a high priority for MENA governments. This entails investing in strong telecommunications infrastructures and deploying upskilling programs to pave the way for workforces to adopt future-ready jobs. In the workplace, digital nomad visas and flexible work policies should be promoted, with legal protections supporting the right to disconnect from work. The MENA region has the opportunity to carve out a path toward a healthier, more mindful digital society. • Sara Al-Mulla is an Emirati civil servant with an interest in human development policy and children's literature. She can be contacted at
