Ongoing Siege and Atrocities in Gaza: 70 Palestinians Killed in One Day Amid Warnings of Children Dying from Thirst

On the 95th day of Israel’s renewed assault on the Gaza Strip, the Israeli military committed another deadly massacre, killing 70 Palestinians since early Friday morning, according to medical sources in Gaza hospitals. Among the victims were 25 civilians who were killed while waiting for food aid near the Netzarim corridor in central Gaza. Al-Awda Hospital confirmed in a brief statement that four civilians were shot dead and several others wounded by Israeli fire in the same area, highlighting what has become a daily, systematic pattern now referred to as “aid trap” killings.

According to the Government Media Office in Gaza, since the beginning of the U.S.-Israeli aid drop operation, more than 300 Palestinians have been killed and 2,649 wounded in related incidents, with nine individuals still missing. These figures contribute to a total casualty count exceeding 185,000 killed or wounded since October 7, 2023, the overwhelming majority being children and women. In addition, more than 11,000 remain missing, and hundreds of thousands have been displaced under worsening famine, disease, and the collapse of humanitarian aid access.

Unprecedented Humanitarian Collapse: Children Face Death by Thirst and Hunger

In this context, James Elder, spokesperson for UNICEF, issued an alarming statement warning that children in Gaza may die of thirst if the siege continues. He described the humanitarian situation as the worst in the world for children, citing the total collapse of infrastructure and a severe shortage of drinking water. “The world, despite its apparent outrage, is doing nothing to stop this,” Elder said, criticizing the global community’s failure to act meaningfully as atrocities continue.

The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) also issued warnings that Gaza’s hospitals are sinking into darkness due to fuel shortages, which have paralyzed intensive care units and life-support equipment. Reports indicate that ambulances can no longer function, and drinking water supplies are nearly depleted, signaling an impending health and humanitarian catastrophe. The UN further condemned Israel’s lethal use of force near food distribution points, calling it a grave violation of international law and demanding an immediate halt to these attacks.

Escalation in the West Bank: Military Raids and Home Demolitions

Simultaneously, the occupied West Bank is witnessing a serious escalation. Israeli forces have shut down entrances to multiple Palestinian cities, while the al-Quds Brigades, Jenin Battalion, claimed responsibility for detonating explosive devices targeting Israeli military vehicles in the northern West Bank. This surge in resistance comes as Israel’s High Court approved mass demolitions of Palestinian homes in the Jenin refugee camp, a move that threatens a new wave of forced displacement and represents yet another violation of civilian rights.

Northern Gaza Under Fire: Artillery Shelling and Mass Displacement

In the northern Gaza Strip, particularly east of Jabalia town, Israeli forces continue to conduct intense artillery bombardments and demolition operations. These attacks are accompanied by heavy machine-gun fire from military vehicles, with reports confirming the destruction of dozens of homes and the forced displacement of hundreds of families. Emergency and civil defense teams are unable to reach affected areas due to the relentless shelling.

These events unfold as international human rights organizations warn that the ongoing siege and Israeli offensive on Gaza constitute a full-scale act of genocide. Israel is deliberately targeting civilians, critical infrastructure, and life-sustaining resources, all with unwavering political and military support from the United States.