Israeli Strikes on Gaza Kill 18, Leave Many Injured

At least 18 Palestinians were killed today in attacks carried out by the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) in the Gaza Strip, including 13 individuals who were reportedly waiting for aid at one of the designated distribution centers.

According to reports from Al Jazeera, nine civilians were shot and killed by IDF soldiers at a distribution site located in the southern city of Rafah.

Four additional civilians were killed when Israeli troops opened fire on groups gathered near another aid center in the vicinity of the so-called Netzarim Corridor, a military route constructed by the Israeli army to divide the coastal enclave.

The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights reported that as of Friday, more than 1,370 Palestinians have died since May 27 due to gunfire at these distribution sites. The locations, established jointly by the United States and Israel, have drawn sharp criticism from the United Nations and non-governmental organizations, which have described them as inadequate and discriminatory.

Medical sources stated that on Sunday, two civilians were killed and several others injured following an airstrike on a school sheltering displaced persons in the Al-Amal neighborhood of Khan Younis, in southern Gaza.

Three additional deaths and several injuries were also reported after a similar airstrike in the Shuja’iyya neighborhood in northern Gaza City.

In recent weeks, multiple UN agencies and humanitarian organizations have condemned the severe humanitarian crisis gripping the territory, attributing it to continued military operations and the blockade enforced by Israel.

Facing mounting international criticism and increasing diplomatic isolation, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu eased the blockade over the past weekend, despite objections from his far-right coalition partners.

The Gaza Strip's Ministry of Health confirmed that several trucks carrying medicines and medical supplies entered the territory on Sunday, providing much-needed resources to deliver basic health services.

Additionally, Saudi broadcaster Al Hadath reported that at least two fuel trucks also entered the enclave on the same day.