Israeli strikes kill at least 42 across Gaza as UN eyes ceasefire vote
Israeli attacks have killed at least 42 people across Gaza since dawn, medical sources told Al Jazeera, as the United Nations General Assembly prepares for a vote urging an unconditional ceasefire in the besieged enclave.
Sources told Al Jazeera that at least 26 of the people killed on Thursday died in Israeli drone attacks while waiting for food and basic supplies being distributed by the controversial United States and Israel-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF).
Gaza civil defence official Mohammed el-Mougher told AFP news agency that al-Awda Hospital received at least 10 bodies and about 200 others who were wounded 'after Israeli drones dropped multiple bombs on gatherings of civilians near an aid distribution point around the Netzarim checkpoint in central Gaza'.
El-Mougher said that Gaza City's al-Shifa Hospital also received six bodies after Israeli attacks on aid queues near Netzarim and in the as-Sudaniya area in northwestern Gaza.
Since the GHF began its operation in Gaza in late May, dozens of Palestinians have been killed while trying to reach the aid distribution points, according to Gaza's civil defence agency.
The previously unknown GHF has come under intense criticism from the United Nations, which says its distribution model is deeply flawed.
'This model will not address the deepening hunger. The dystopian 'Hunger Games' cannot become the new reality,' Philippe Lazzarini, the chief of the UN Palestinian refugee agency (UNRWA), wrote on X.
'The UN including @UNRWA has the knowledge, expertise & community trust to provide dignified & safe assistance. Just let the humanitarians do their jobs,' he added.
Separately, a medical source at al-Shifa Hospital told Al Jazeera that two Palestinians were killed as a result of Israeli shelling targeting the Bir an-Naaja area west of Jabalia refugee camp in northern Gaza.
Meanwhile, Hamas condemned on Thursday the decision of Israel to cut off communication lines in Gaza, describing it as 'a new aggressive step' in the country's 'war of extermination'.
'We call on the international community to assume its responsibility to stop the aggression and ensure the protection of civilians and humanitarian and civilian facilities.'
The disruption of communications has resulted in the UNRWA losing contact with its colleagues in the agency in Gaza, the UN's main humanitarian provider in Gaza said.
The latest developments come as the UN General Assembly is set to vote on a draft resolution that demands an immediate, unconditional and permanent ceasefire in the war in Gaza.
The 193-member General Assembly is likely to adopt the text with overwhelming support, diplomats say, despite Israel lobbying countries this week against taking part in what it called a 'politically motivated, counterproductive charade'.
Last week, the United States vetoed a similar effort in the Security Council.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Al Jazeera
a day ago
- Al Jazeera
Israeli strikes kill at least 42 across Gaza as UN eyes ceasefire vote
Israeli attacks have killed at least 42 people across Gaza since dawn, medical sources told Al Jazeera, as the United Nations General Assembly prepares for a vote urging an unconditional ceasefire in the besieged enclave. Sources told Al Jazeera that at least 26 of the people killed on Thursday died in Israeli drone attacks while waiting for food and basic supplies being distributed by the controversial United States and Israel-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF). Gaza civil defence official Mohammed el-Mougher told AFP news agency that al-Awda Hospital received at least 10 bodies and about 200 others who were wounded 'after Israeli drones dropped multiple bombs on gatherings of civilians near an aid distribution point around the Netzarim checkpoint in central Gaza'. El-Mougher said that Gaza City's al-Shifa Hospital also received six bodies after Israeli attacks on aid queues near Netzarim and in the as-Sudaniya area in northwestern Gaza. Since the GHF began its operation in Gaza in late May, dozens of Palestinians have been killed while trying to reach the aid distribution points, according to Gaza's civil defence agency. The previously unknown GHF has come under intense criticism from the United Nations, which says its distribution model is deeply flawed. 'This model will not address the deepening hunger. The dystopian 'Hunger Games' cannot become the new reality,' Philippe Lazzarini, the chief of the UN Palestinian refugee agency (UNRWA), wrote on X. 'The UN including @UNRWA has the knowledge, expertise & community trust to provide dignified & safe assistance. Just let the humanitarians do their jobs,' he added. Separately, a medical source at al-Shifa Hospital told Al Jazeera that two Palestinians were killed as a result of Israeli shelling targeting the Bir an-Naaja area west of Jabalia refugee camp in northern Gaza. Meanwhile, Hamas condemned on Thursday the decision of Israel to cut off communication lines in Gaza, describing it as 'a new aggressive step' in the country's 'war of extermination'. 'We call on the international community to assume its responsibility to stop the aggression and ensure the protection of civilians and humanitarian and civilian facilities.' The disruption of communications has resulted in the UNRWA losing contact with its colleagues in the agency in Gaza, the UN's main humanitarian provider in Gaza said. The latest developments come as the UN General Assembly is set to vote on a draft resolution that demands an immediate, unconditional and permanent ceasefire in the war in Gaza. The 193-member General Assembly is likely to adopt the text with overwhelming support, diplomats say, despite Israel lobbying countries this week against taking part in what it called a 'politically motivated, counterproductive charade'. Last week, the United States vetoed a similar effort in the Security Council.
Al Jazeera
a day ago
- Al Jazeera
Boy who lost nine siblings to Israeli strike arrives in Italy for treatment
An 11-year-old Palestinian boy who was severely wounded in an Israeli air strike which killed his father and his nine siblings has arrived in Italy for medical treatment. Adam al-Najjar arrived with his mother at Milan's Linate airport on Wednesday, where he was greeted by Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani, who gave him a football. He was then transferred to the city's Niguarda Hospital for treatment of his injuries. Adam is the only one of 10 children in his family to survive an Israeli strike on their home in the city of Khan Younis, southern Gaza, on May 23. His siblings ranged in age from seven months to 12 years old. Adam's father, doctor Hamdi al-Najjar, also died of his injuries in the days following the attack. His mother, paediatrician Alaa al-Najjar, had been working at the time of the strike at Nasser Hospital, one of the few still operating in southern Gaza. Adam sustained serious burns to his body in the strike, the AFP news agency reported. His mother, who travelled to Milan for her son's treatment along with Adam's aunt and cousins, said her son was stable but would be treated for injuries, including multiple fractures to his arm. He 'has a head wound that is healing but his left arm is bad, the bones are fractured and the nerves damaged,' the 36-year-old told Italian newspaper La Repubblica. She said she focused on his recovery so as not to think of the horrors of the loss of her family. 'I remember everything. Every detail, every minute, every scream,' she told the newspaper. 'But when I remember, it's too painful, so I try to keep my mind focused entirely on Adam.' Adam's medical evacuation followed an appeal by his uncle in the media, which led Tajani to announce that Italy was prepared to help. Sixteen other Palestinian children, along with more than 50 family members, were also flown to Italy on Wednesday on military aircraft that set off from Israel's Eilat airport, the Italian foreign ministry said, according to Reuters. The injured children will be treated in hospitals in cities including Rome, Florence and Bologna. The Italian government has brought 150 injured Palestinians into the country for medical treatment to date, the foreign ministry said. Italy has been a vocal supporter of Israel since it launched its assault on Gaza in October 2023, although in recent months, officials have criticised the severity of Israel's response and expressed concern over the mounting death toll. According to the United Nations' child rights agency, UNICEF, more than 50,000 children have reportedly been killed or injured in the Israeli assault.
Qatar Tribune
2 days ago
- Qatar Tribune
57 aid seekers killed in Gaza as death toll crosses 55,000
Agencies Gaza At least 57 aid seekers were killed and more than 363 injured by Israel since Wednesday morning, bringing the total number of people killed at aid distribution centres to 224, with 1,858 others injured, Gaza's Health Ministry said. The Palestinian news agency WAFAsaid the deaths occurred near an aid distribution point in the Netzarim Corridor and were caused by Israeli forces. At least 120 Palestinians have been killed and 474 injured in Israeli attacks across Gaza in the past 24 hours, according to the ministry. Three bodies of people killed in previous Israeli attacks were also recovered from the rubble in the war-torn territory, the ministry said. The total death toll from Israel's war on Gaza has risen to 55,104 killed and 127,394 injured since October 7, 2023, it said. Israel has killed 4,821 Palestinians and injured 15,353 since breaking a ceasefire in March this year. Deadly clashes near aid distribution points have taken place repeatedly in recent days. In late May, Israel eased its blockade of aid deliveries to the besieged territory. The Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), a US organisation backed by the governments of Israel and the United States, began delivering aid to Gaza, bypassing the UN and other international organisations. The GHF's distribution has been controversial. Palestinians attempting to collect food and other aid have been killed by gunfire at the distribution points on several occasions. The GHF says that it has so far distributed around 12 million meals in Gaza. According to the UN, at least 500 to 600 truckloads are needed daily.
