138 killed Palestinians brought to Gaza hospitals in last 24 hours: Health Ministry
The Gaza Health Ministry has provided an update on the latest casualty figures in the enclave:
- In addition to the 138 killed Palestinians brought to hospitals in the past 24 hours, another 452 wounded people sought medical care.
- Sixty-two fatalities brought to Gaza’s hospitals in the past 24 hours were killed while seeking aid; Three hundred Palestinian aid-seekers were among those wounded.
- A number of victims remain under the rubble and on roads because emergency crews are unable to reach them.
- Israeli attacks on Gaza since October 7, 2023, have now killed at least 57,268 Palestinians and injured at least 135,625 others.
- Since Israel broke the ceasefire on March 18, at least 6,710 Palestinians have been killed and 23,584 more injured.
Former MSF worker among more than 16 killed by Israel while collecting aid
Doctors Without Borders, known by its French initials, MSF, says healthcare worker Abdullah Hammad was among at least 16 Palestinians killed by Israeli forces yesterday while waiting for aid trucks amid the Israeli siege and starvation of Gaza.
“Israeli forces deliberately targeted a group of people, including Abdullah, without warning as they waited for aid trucks” in Khan Younis on Thursday, the organisation said, adding that Abdullah was a hygienist who worked in al-Mawasi clinic for a year-and-a-half until June 30.
“In addition to the loss of Abdullah, MSF has already lost 11 colleagues since October 2023. We demand an end to this bloodshed.”
MSF said the real number of casualties is likely much higher since Israeli forces refused to allow dead bodies to be retrieved from the site, and that the mass killing comes two weeks after a similar incident, next to a desalination plant in the area.
‘Whomever got a bag of flour, got shot in the head’: More from MSF
A staff member of Doctors Without Borders, known by its French initials MSF, who survived the mass killing in southern Gaza’s Khan Younis by Israeli soldiers that we reported on earlier, has recounted the horrific incident.
“Five trucks were parked to let people come in and take what they could. Then the [Israeli] tanks started advancing and we could see a lot of snipers in the area too. Suddenly, shots started coming from every direction. Whomever got a bag of flour, got shot in the head. The bags of flour were all over the ground. Covered in blood,” said the MSF worker, whose name was changed to protect his identity.
“There were so many bodies on the ground. After that, a quadcopter came to where we were hiding under the rubble of one of the houses. [The quadcopter] told us to put our hands up and come out. It said ‘you are not allowed to take flour. Keep walking and don’t pick up any of the dead or wounded from the ground.’ Some people stayed, we could still hear the tanks firing. Young men, dying for a bag of flour.”
MSF Emergency Coordinator in Gaza Aitor Zabalgogeazkoa said the level of desperation for food in Gaza is “beyond comprehension”, and humanitarian agencies are restricted by Israel.
“Israeli authorities are limiting movements and supplies and have devised a new militarised way to distribute food that is degrading and deadly. The systemic and deliberate starvation of Palestinians for over 100 days is pushing people in Gaza to breaking point. This carnage must stop now.”
Palestinians attend funeral ceremonies as more than 60 Palestinians are killed in attacks carried out by the Israeli army on Gaza since the morning hours, on July 3
