DEIR AL-BALAH, Gaza Strip (AP) — At least 85 Palestinians were killed Sunday while attempting to access food, marking the deadliest day for aid-seekers in over 21 months of war, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry.
The spike in casualties comes as the Israeli military expands evacuation orders into central Gaza — a region where it has previously carried out few ground operations and where many international aid organizations are currently based. One group reported being ordered to evacuate multiple offices immediately. The Israeli military has not issued an official comment.
Most of the deaths occurred in northern Gaza, where humanitarian conditions remain extreme. Zaher al-Waheidi, head of the Health Ministry’s records department, told the Associated Press that 79 Palestinians were killed while trying to reach aid entering through the Zikim crossing. The U.N. World Food Program said 25 trucks were delivering food for “starving communities” when they encountered overwhelming crowds.
A U.N. official, speaking anonymously, said Israeli forces opened fire on the crowd attempting to retrieve the aid. UN footage shared with the AP showed men running as automatic gunfire rang out.
“Suddenly, tanks surrounded us and trapped us while gunfire and strikes poured down. We were stuck for about two hours,” said Ehab Al-Zei, who had been waiting for flour and had not eaten bread in 15 days. “I’ll never go back again. Let us starve — it’s better.”
Nafiz Al-Najjar, another wounded civilian, said tanks and drones fired “randomly,” and he saw his cousin killed along with others.
Israel’s Response: Hamas to Blame
The Israeli military said it fired at a large crowd in northern Gaza that posed a threat and acknowledged some casualties but disputed the figures provided by Gaza officials. It blamed Hamas for inciting chaos.
Al-Waheidi reported six more Palestinians were killed by Israeli gunfire in the Shakoush area, just north of a new humanitarian hub operated by the U.S.- and Israel-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF) in Rafah. The GHF said it was unaware of any incident near its facility. Witnesses and medical staff say hundreds have been killed while trying to access aid.
In a separate incident, seven Palestinians — including a 5-year-old boy — were killed while sheltering in tents in Khan Younis, according to the Kuwait Specialized Field Hospital.
Evacuation Orders Deepen Crisis
New evacuation orders severed access between Deir al-Balah and the southern cities of Rafah and Khan Younis. The military also reissued evacuation orders for northern Gaza.
The directive shocked residents in Deir al-Balah, previously considered a safe zone. “All of Rafah is under evacuation, and now half of Deir al-Balah? Where are we supposed to go?” said resident Hassan Abu Azab, while others loaded belongings and livestock onto carts.
The U.N. is seeking clarity from Israeli authorities regarding whether its facilities in the area are included in the evacuation zones. In past cases, U.N. buildings were exempt.
Medical Aid for Palestinians reported that multiple humanitarian agencies were told to evacuate immediately, forcing the shutdown of at least nine clinics, including one run by MAP. The extent of the impact on other groups remains unclear.
Israeli military spokesperson Avichay Adraee urged civilians to relocate to Al-Muwasi, a barren coastal area designated as a humanitarian zone.
The new evacuation orders come amid ongoing ceasefire talks in Qatar between Israel and Hamas. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has maintained that intensifying military pressure will strengthen Israel’s position in the negotiations.
Earlier this month, the Israeli military claimed control over more than 65% of Gaza.
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