At least 85 Palestinians seeking aid were killed in Gaza on Sunday, marking the deadliest day yet for aid-seekers in over 21 months of war. The territory’s Health Ministry reported that at least 79 Palestinians died while trying to reach food entering through the Zikim crossing with Israel. The United Nations World Food Program said it encountered massive crowds and was forced to cancel aid deliveries due to security concerns.
Israel’s military issued evacuation orders for parts of central Gaza, which has rarely seen ground troop operations. The new orders have sparked widespread concern among Palestinians, who are struggling to access basic necessities like food and medicine.
Eyewitnesses describe scenes of chaos and violence as Israeli forces opened fire on crowds trying to take aid from convoys. Many were killed or wounded in the crossfire, with some reporting seeing friends and family members shot dead.
The military claims that Hamas militants created chaos, but witnesses contradict this account, saying they saw indiscriminate targeting by tanks and drones.
The situation has sparked international concern, with the United Nations urging Israel to clarify whether its facilities are included in the evacuation orders. The Medical Aid for Palestinians group reported that several humanitarian organizations were forced to evacuate immediately.
Gaza’s population is facing a catastrophic humanitarian crisis, with many people displaced multiple times. The conflict has resulted in over 58,800 Palestinian deaths and more than 150 injured, according to the Health Ministry.
Ceasefire talks between Israel and Hamas are ongoing, but the situation on the ground remains dire. With millions struggling to survive, international pressure is mounting for a peaceful resolution to the conflict.
Source: https://apnews.com/article/israel-palestinians-hamas-war-07-20-2025-2b494af89d710793bc6933f5ae437566