28 more Palestinians die in Gaza, including 5 from Israel-induced starvation

ANKARA

At least 28 more Palestinians lost their lives in Gaza, including five from starvation, on Sunday as the Israeli army continued its attacks and blockade on the seaside enclave, medics said.

Four people were killed in an Israeli strike targeting the Shejaiya neighborhood in eastern Gaza City, while two others died near the Al-Sudaniya area in the city’s eastern part, a medical source said.

Three more Palestinians were killed and three others injured in another strike on a crowd waiting for aid near a distribution point in central Gaza, Al-Awda Hospital confirmed.

Eight civilians were killed when an Israeli drone struck a gathering of civilians and a tent sheltering displaced families in Khan Younis, southern Gaza, a medical source told Anadolu.

Casualties were also reported by Israeli gunfire targeting aid seekers in Khan Younis, but no exact figure was yet given.

Israeli forces also opened fire on a group of people waiting for humanitarian aid near the Netzarim Corridor in central Gaza, killing two and injuring several others.

Four more Palestinians were killed and three others injured in a strike north of Nuseirat refugee camp in central Gaza.

Local health officials have repeatedly warned that Israeli attacks on aid distribution points are exacerbating Gaza’s worsening humanitarian crisis, where famine looms amid a choking blockade.

According to Palestinian figures, at least 1,778 aid seekers have been killed and 12,894 others injured by Israeli army fire since May 27.

Meanwhile, Gaza’s Health Ministry said that five people, including two children, died from malnutrition in the last 24 hours. This brings the death toll since October 2023 to 217, including 100 children.

Israel has kept all Gaza crossings closed since March 2, blocking aid convoys despite hundreds of trucks waiting at the border. Only small amounts have been allowed in, far below the level needed to avert famine.

The World Food Program says one-third of Gaza’s population has gone several days without eating, calling the situation “unprecedented” in its levels of hunger and desperation. The UN estimates hundreds of aid trucks must enter daily to end the famine caused by the blockade and war.

Israel has been facing mounting outrage over its deadly war on Gaza, where more than 61,400 people have been killed since October 2023. The military campaign has devastated the enclave and brought it to the verge of famine.

Last November, the International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant for war crimes and crimes against humanity in Gaza.

Israel also faces a genocide case at the International Court of Justice for its war on the enclave.