DEIR AL-BALAH, Gaza Strip (AP) — At least 78 Palestinians were killed on Monday by Israeli airstrikes and gunfire across the Gaza Strip, including a pregnant woman whose baby died hours after being delivered via emergency cesarean, health officials reported. Many of the victims were attempting to access food aid, highlighting the deepening humanitarian crisis despite new Israeli measures aimed at easing restrictions.
Israel announced over the weekend that military operations would be paused for 10 hours daily in key areas to facilitate aid deliveries. However, aid agencies say these steps fall short, citing looting of trucks and unsafe conditions that hinder the effective distribution of supplies.
In Muwasi, Khan Younis, the strike that killed the pregnant woman also injured others, with hospitals reporting multiple fatalities in separate attacks. Israel’s military has not commented on most of the strikes but maintains that it targets militants, blaming Hamas for operating within civilian zones.
Meanwhile, international airdrops continue but remain controversial due to safety risks and inefficiency. UN agencies report that more than 1,000 people have been killed since May while seeking aid, with recent incidents in which Israeli forces reportedly opened fire on civilians gathering near aid convoys.
Israel launched its offensive following Hamas’ October 7, 2023, attack, in which 1,200 people were killed and 251 taken hostage. Since then, over 59,800 Palestinians have died, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry, which does not distinguish between civilians and militants.
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