Israeli attacks have resulted in the deaths of at least 22 Palestinians in Gaza since dawn on the first day of Eid al-Adha. The Gaza Humanitarian Foundation has shut down all its aid distribution points in the Strip, instructing starving Palestinians to stay away “for their safety”. This decision comes after hundreds of aid seekers were killed or wounded by the Israeli military earlier in the week.
Hani Mahmoud, reporting from Gaza City, described the intense Israeli attacks, which have left entire areas in ruins and forced people to be displaced. In Khan Younis, five Palestinians were killed, including two on their way to Eid prayers and three in drone attacks on makeshift tents. Mahmoud noted that the bombardment is often indiscriminate, increasing the likelihood of civilian casualties.
The UN’s Palestinian refugee agency, UNRWA, shared stories of Gaza aid seekers who survived Israeli attacks. One man described crawling on the ground for over an hour while shots rang out above his head. UNRWA emphasized the need for safe and large-scale aid delivery to Gaza, stating, “We must return to delivering aid safely and at scale to all people in Gaza. The only way to do this is through the United Nations, including UNRWA”.
The Israeli military has warned Palestinians not to approach aid distribution centers outside designated timeframes, citing safety concerns. However, this warning comes after hundreds of Palestinians were injured or killed by the Israeli army while approaching these centers.
Palestinians in Gaza are facing unimaginable economic and humanitarian suffering, according to Ibrahim Ahmed, a Gaza resident. “This is the hardest Eid we’ve ever witnessed,” he said. “People are facing unimaginable economic and humanitarian suffering”. Another Palestinian, Saeed Nassar, described the circumstances as “heartbreaking”, saying, “We couldn’t buy clothes, sweets, or an animal to sacrifice. We’re surrounded by total destruction”.
UNRWA chief Philippe Lazzarini has called for international journalists to be allowed into Gaza, citing a “ban on the truth” due to the ongoing Israeli blockade. He noted that nearly 200 local journalists have been killed while reporting on the conflict.
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