The humanitarian crisis in Gaza intensified on Monday as Israeli airstrikes and gunfire killed at least 40 Palestinians, including 10 people seeking aid. Gaza’s health ministry also confirmed five additional deaths due to starvation, raising the total hunger-related deaths to 180, including 93 children.
The rising fatalities highlight the worsening conditions in the region, where famine is reportedly unfolding according to international humanitarian organizations.
Aid Access Remains Dangerous and Insufficient Despite Israeli Claims of Increased Humanitarian Efforts
Two of the fatal incidents occurred near aid distribution sites affiliated with the U.S.-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), although the organization denied any incidents at or near their locations on that day.
The United Nations has documented over 1,000 deaths since May 2025 involving individuals attempting to access aid, with most reportedly shot by Israeli forces. Witness accounts from hospitals describe people returning from aid sites either injured, dead, or traumatized, further underscoring the dangers of seeking basic necessities in Gaza.
Despite claims from Israel of increasing aid flows, such as air drops, paused offensives in some areas, and protected routes, U.N. agencies argue that the aid is insufficient and access remains severely limited.
Over 1,200 trucks carrying 23,000 tons of aid reportedly entered Gaza in the last week, but many have not yet reached distribution centers. Some trucks have been looted by desperate civilians and armed groups, and the actual aid reaching those in need remains far below Gaza’s daily requirement of 600 trucks.
Civilians Face Life-Threatening Hardships Amid Ongoing Gaza War and Mounting Death Toll
The human impact of the war is deeply felt by civilians like Bilal Thari, who spoke at Al Shifa hospital while collecting the body of a family member killed during an aid run. Thari described widespread hunger and despair, noting the lack of basic supplies, even burial shrouds.
Many civilians now face the agonizing choice of risking their lives for aid or enduring severe deprivation. Despite these testimonies, the Israeli military has denied responsibility for the latest fatal incidents at aid centers, offering limited clarification.
The ongoing Gaza war was triggered by a Hamas attack on Israel on October 7, 2023, in which 1,200 people were killed and 251 taken hostage. Since then, more than 60,000 Palestinians have been killed in Israel’s retaliatory offensive, according to Gaza health officials.
Israeli authorities report that only 20 of the 50 remaining hostages in Gaza are believed to be alive. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has reiterated his government’s objectives of defeating Hamas and rescuing the remaining hostages, as the conflict enters a protracted and devastating phase.
