A humanitarian tragedy unfolded at the Zikim Crossing in northern Gaza on Wednesday, where at least 48 Palestinians were killed and dozens more injured while waiting for food aid. Shifa Hospital and Al-Saraya Field Hospital received scores of casualties, with many critical injuries and an expected rise in the death toll.
Eyewitness videos captured chaotic scenes of people carrying flour and wounded civilians being transported in makeshift wooden carts. The Israeli military, which controls the crossing, offered no immediate comment, leaving uncertainty over who was responsible for the gunfire.
Gaza Nears Famine as Aid Falls Short and Diplomacy Seeks Fragile Solutions
The violence occurred against the backdrop of extreme food insecurity in Gaza, where 2 million Palestinians are now facing what experts describe as a near-famine. The Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) has warned of “widespread death” unless immediate aid is delivered.
Law and order have broken down as desperate crowds overwhelm aid convoys. Although Israel has slightly eased its blockade, the volume of aid, just over 220 trucks daily, is far below the 500–600 trucks required, according to the United Nations.
Diplomatic efforts are ongoing. U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff is expected to arrive in Israel to discuss ways to address the crisis in Gaza. Witkoff has been central to U.S. efforts to de-escalate the conflict and secure the release of remaining hostages taken during Hamas’ October 2023 attack on Israel.
That attack resulted in the deaths of 1,200 Israelis and the kidnapping of 251 people. In response, Israel launched a major offensive that has killed over 60,000 Palestinians, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry.
Mounting Civilian Deaths as Hunger and Aid Chaos Deepen Gaza’s Humanitarian Catastrophe
The humanitarian toll is worsening. Hunger has claimed the lives of 89 children and 65 adults, and aid-related deaths continue to rise. Over 1,000 Palestinians have died while attempting to access food at distribution sites, many of them controlled by the Israeli-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF).
While GHF and Israeli officials say only non-lethal methods like warning shots or pepper spray are used, eyewitnesses and health organizations report lethal outcomes. Aid drops from international donors have also proven unreliable, with packages often landing in unsafe zones or the sea.
Israel denies that starvation is taking place, rejecting the accounts of U.N. agencies, aid workers, and local authorities. Israeli officials argue that accusations about hunger detract from ceasefire negotiations and blame Hamas for embedding its operations in civilian areas.
However, the scale of suffering and the collapse of aid infrastructure suggest a worsening crisis. With no clear accountability and limited access for humanitarian agencies, Gaza remains trapped in a cycle of violence, hunger, and political stalemate, with civilians paying the highest price.
