Tel Aviv: At least 20 Palestinians, including nine children, were killed on Saturday when Israeli forces bombed a densely populated residential block in Gaza City’s al-Tuffah neighbourhood, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry.
The ministry reported that 81 people were killed across Gaza on Saturday alone, including near aid distribution zones run by the Gaza Human Rights Foundation (GHF), a controversial entity backed by the U.S. and Israel. Rights groups and UN agencies have refused to cooperate with the GHF, denouncing it as a “death trap” accused of facilitating Israel’s military objectives under the guise of humanitarian aid.
Since GHF began operations last month, over 549 Palestinians have reportedly been killed at these aid sites. The UN agency for Palestinian refugees (UNRWA) called the foundation an “abomination,” while UN human rights office spokesman Thameen Al-Kheetan condemned what he described as the “weaponisation of food.”
Meanwhile, diplomatic efforts continue. Qatar, along with the U.S. and Egypt, said it is engaging with both Israel and Hamas to capitalise on the recent ceasefire with Iran and pursue a lasting truce in Gaza. “This momentum must not be wasted,” said Qatar’s foreign ministry spokesperson Majed al-Ansari.
As of now, over 56,000 Palestinians have been killed in Gaza since the war began, more than half of them women and children. Israel has been accused of deliberately targeting hospitals, refugee camps, schools, and residential areas, resulting in mass civilian casualties. Journalists, healthcare workers, and aid workers have also been among those killed.
Citing unnamed Israeli officials, Haaretz reported Friday that the real death toll could be closer to 100,000—nearly 4% of Gaza’s population—when including those who have died from hunger, disease, and exposure due to Israel’s blockade and the collapse of the healthcare system.
