**Tragedy Unfolds in Gaza: At Least 33 Palestinians Killed by Israeli Fire**
A devastating scene has unfolded in the Gaza Strip, where at least 33 Palestinians seeking help were killed by Israeli gunfire on Wednesday. The tragedy occurred when thousands of people gathered along the main Salah al-Din Road to collect desperately needed food supplies.
According to eyewitnesses, Israeli forces launched shells into the crowd, causing widespread panic and chaos. Medics reported that many people were injured in the incident, with some dying from their wounds. The Hamas-run civil defense agency stated that three Israeli airstrikes in northern and southern Gaza killed 19 more people, while eight died after a home in the Zeitoun district of Gaza City was struck.
**Death Toll Rises: Gaza’s Health Ministry Reports 140 Deaths**
The Gaza Health Ministry announced on Wednesday afternoon that 140 people had died in the previous 24-hour period. The ministry reported that 51 people died while waiting for help in the southern city of Khan Younis, with the UN citing partner organizations working on the health issue putting the death toll higher than 60.
**Eyewitnesses Describe Horror Scenes**
Eyewitnesses described to the BBC how Israeli tanks opened fire on crowds near a charity center and a warehouse owned by the UN’s World Food Programme. The Israeli military confirmed that its troops were present in the area, stating that the incident was being investigated. In another separate incident, seven people seeking help were killed on Rashid Street to the north-west of Gaza City.
**Humanitarian Crisis Deepens**
The tragedy has highlighted the deepening humanitarian crisis in Gaza. A doctor at al-Shifa Hospital in Gaza City told Reuters that the deaths were caused by Israeli air strikes, while injuries were caused by gunfire. The UN and other aid organizations have refused to cooperate with a new system set up by the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), which they claim violates humanitarian principles.
**UN Condemns GHF System as “Lame and Medieval”**
The head of the UN agency for Palestinian Refugees, Philippe Lazzarini, condemned the GHF system on Wednesday, saying that inviting people who are starving to their deaths is a crime of war. He called for those responsible to be held accountable.
**Aid Shortages Continue**
Despite efforts by aid organizations to distribute food and supplies, shortages continue to plague Gaza. The WFP warned that the 9,000 tons of food aid it dispatched in the past four weeks were “a tiny fraction” of what was needed in Gaza. The urgent need for food has led to large crowds gathering along transport routes, attempting to intercept and access humanitarian aid while it’s in transit.
**Death Toll Rises: At Least 55,637 Deaths Since May**
The health ministry of Gaza reported that at least 55,637 deaths have occurred in Gaza since the beginning of May. The tragic events on Wednesday serve as a stark reminder of the dire situation facing civilians in Gaza and the need for an immediate resolution to this crisis.
Read More @ www.bbc.com
