Dozens more Palestinians have been killed in the past few days, some by Israeli airstrikes and others while attempting to get food at aid distribution sites, hospital officials in Gaza told The Associated Press on Saturday, July 5. This comes after Hamas signaled it had given a “positive” response to a ceasefire proposal that aims to bring the war, now nearing its 21st month, to an end.
613 Palestinians killed while seeking aid, OHCHR report says
Early on Friday, July 4, airstrikes in the southern coastal city of Muwasi killed 15 people. The area has become densely populated, as Palestinians displaced from other regions seek shelter there. According to the AP, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said Friday that it was investigating the reported airstrikes.
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Citing Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis, the AP reported that Israeli airstrikes struck Muwasi again Saturday. Seven people were killed, including a Palestinian doctor and his three children. Seven others were killed between the southern city of Bani Suheila and Khan Younis. The AP notes that the IDF has not yet commented on those strikes.
Meanwhile, Palestinians seeking aid continue to be killed at or near sites operated by the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), a U.S. contractor backed by Israel. Speaking to reporters in Geneva on Friday, Ravina Shamdasani, a spokesperson for the United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), said, “We have recorded 613 killings, both at GHF points and near humanitarian convoys — this is a figure as of June 27.” Shamdasani added, “Since then … there have been further incidents.”
While GHF maintains that it generally distributes aid without incident, the OHCHR’s investigation –– based on information gathered from hospitals, cemeteries, families, Palestinian health authorities, nongovernmental agencies and other partners –– suggests that 509 of the 613 deaths have occurred near GHF distribution points.
IDF acknowledges civilian injuries near distribution sites
Both the Israeli military and GHF have said that Hamas loots or siphons off aid meant for Palestinian civilians, though neither has provided evidence to support the claims. GHF also said that two of its American aid workers were recently injured during an attack at a distribution site. The group blamed Hamas for the attack but did not provide any evidence, according to the AP.
On Monday, June 30, the IDF said that its forces received new instructions after acknowledging that civilians had been harmed at distribution sites. The incidents, Reuters reports, resulted in “lessons learned,” according to the IDF.
Previous to this acknowledgment, the IDF had said it did fire warning shots near civilians attempting to get aid but never fired directly at them.
“Israel, as the occupying power, bears responsibility with regards to public order and safety in Gaza,” Eri Kaneko, a spokesperson for the U.N. Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, told Reuters in a statement. “That should include letting in far more essential supplies, through multiple crossings and routes, to meet humanitarian needs.”
Israel lifted a nearly three-month aid blockade back in May. However, since then, efforts to adequately feed and meet the needs of Gaza’s population, which is largely on the brink of famine, have fallen far short of what’s necessary, according to numerous international organizations.
On Monday, June 30, some 170 charities and humanitarian aid groups called for the GHF to exit Gaza, saying Israeli and other armed forces “routinely” open fire on Palestinians seeking aid.
Is a ceasefire on the horizon?
Meanwhile, on Friday, July 4, Hamas said it delivered a “positive” response to a U.S. proposal that would bring the nearly two-year war to an end.
In a statement published by the Islamic Republic News Agency, Hamas said, “The movement has delivered its response to the brotherly mediators, which was characterized by a positive spirit. Hamas is fully prepared, with all seriousness, to immediately enter a new round of negotiations on the mechanism for implementing this framework.”
That proposal reportedly calls for a 60-day truce between Hamas and Israel, during which other details could be worked out, including the exchange of hostages held by Hamas –– roughly 20 are believed to still be alive –– and Palestinian prisoners held by the IDF.
However, the two sides still seem miles apart on key issues, including a complete disarmament and dismantling of Hamas, as well as a complete and unconditional withdrawal of Israeli troops from Gaza.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who has yet to comment on Hamas’ statement, is expected to meet with U.S. President Donald Trump sometime next week.
“We hope it’s going to happen. And we’re looking forward to it happening sometime next week,” Trump told reporters earlier this week, according to USA Today. “We want to get the hostages out.”
The war between Hamas and Israel began after the Oct. 7, 2023, Hamas-led attack on southern Israel, which killed about 1,200 people. Israel’s military campaign has since killed over 57,000 Palestinians, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry. Israeli airstrikes and ground operations have displaced nearly 90% of Gaza’s population, while famine conditions persist across many areas.
