As the world focuses on Israel’s escalating conflict with Iran, violence against Palestinians in the occupied territories has intensified. Israeli forces have killed dozens of Palestinians in Gaza, including those attempting to access food aid, while the West Bank has been placed under lockdown.
In recent days, Israeli troops have killed at least 16 Palestinians trying to get food in Gaza, bringing the total number of Palestinians killed in similar incidents to over 200 since the start of June. On Tuesday, Israeli forces killed at least 70 Palestinians at a Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF) aid distribution site in Khan Younis, with drones, machine gun fire, and tanks used against civilians.
“This happens to some extent every day. It’s becoming a routine,” said Yasser al-Banna, a journalist in Gaza. “Now that Israel has started a war with Iran, everyone here in Gaza is scared that the world is going to forget about them.”
The GHF, an Israeli and US-backed body staffed by private security contractors, has been lambasted for its role in the militarization of humanitarian aid relief. Since its inception in May, dozens of Palestinians have been killed at GHF sites, sparking widespread criticism.
“Israel is using the diverted attention away from Gaza to continue to carry out atrocious crimes against starving civilians,” said Omar Rahman, an expert on Israel and Palestine for the Middle East Council on Global Affairs think tank. “We have also seen a lot of military and settler activity in the West Bank in recent days.”
The West Bank has been placed under lockdown, with Israeli forces blocking entrances to Palestinian villages and cities, increasing military checkpoints, and conducting deadly raids. Many Palestinians have reported a major fuel crisis throughout the West Bank.
“Most of our basic imports come from Israel… and Israel is prioritizing its society, not us,” said Murad Jadallah, a human rights researcher with Al-Haq, a local organization that advocates for Palestinian rights.
Palestinians are worried that Israel will step up its aggression against them once it finishes its war with Iran. “We will pay a high price if Israel wins this war with Iran,” Jadallah said. “If they can get what they want from Iran or carry out regime change, then who will stop them from achieving their dreams in Gaza and the West Bank?”
The situation in Gaza is dire, with many people struggling to access basic necessities like food and bread. Al-Banna noted that a large bag of sesame, which is used to make bread, now costs about 80 shekels ($23), up from two shekels ($0.33) before the war.
“I would rather die from hunger than from getting shot,” al-Banna said, explaining why he refuses to trek miles to a GHF distribution point.
Rahman added that Israel’s war of aggression against Iran and its war on Gaza should be deeply concerning for everyone, not just Palestinians. “It is extremely worrying that Israel can get away with everything and anything… and keep its western support base,” he said. “It is a signal to the Israelis that there are no limits,” he added. “Israel is wreaking havoc in Palestine, the region, and on the global system”.