DIER-AL BALAH, Aug 10: At least 31 Palestinians were killed while seeking food aid in Gaza, as hospitals and witnesses reported fatalities near truck convoys and aid distribution sites. Witnesses accused Israeli forces of firing at crowds attempting to reach food in the Morag and Netzarim corridors and Teina area in southern Gaza.
According to Nasser Hospital, 15 people were killed near the Morag corridor between Rafah and Khan Younis. Jamal al-Laweh, a witness, described the site as a “death trap,” saying he had no choice but to go there for his children. In northern Gaza, six people died near the Zikim crossing, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry and Shifa Hospital. In central Gaza, Awda Hospital confirmed four deaths after shots were fired near a Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF) distribution site. Witnesses reported warning shots followed by gunfire. Six more people were killed near GHF sites in Khan Younis and Rafah.
GHF, which operates with U.S. and Israeli support as an alternative to UN aid systems, denied involvement, stating the deaths were linked to looting attempts. Israel’s military said there were no incidents involving troops near aid sites.
Separately, seven Palestinians were killed in Israeli airstrikes—three near Gaza City’s port and four, including two children, in Khan Younis. The IDF did not comment. The humanitarian crisis in Gaza worsens. Two children died of malnutrition on Saturday, raising the child hunger toll to 100. Since June, at least 117 adults have also died of malnutrition-related causes. These figures are in addition to the Gaza Health Ministry’s overall war death toll of 61,400, which includes many women and children. Though part of the Hamas-run government, the ministry is considered the most reliable casualty source by the UN and independent experts.
Meanwhile, inside Israel, families of hostages still held in Gaza called for a general strike to oppose expanded military operations in Gaza City, fearing for the lives of the 50 hostages, 20 of whom are believed alive. Lishay Miran-Lavi, whose husband is among the captives, appealed to former U.S. President Donald Trump and envoy Steve Witkoff to intervene.
In the West Bank, Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz toured areas where around 40,000 Palestinians have been displaced in 2025 alone—the largest such movement since 1967. Katz said military presence in refugee camps would continue through the year to combat rising militancy.
Netanyahu defends Gaza offensive, slams ‘global lies’
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Sunday defended a planned military offensive in one of Gaza’s most densely populated areas, amid growing international and domestic condemnation. Speaking to foreign media shortly before a United Nations Security Council emergency meeting on Gaza, Netanyahu declared that Israel “has no choice but to finish the job and complete the defeat of Hamas.”
He asserted that the aim is not to occupy Gaza but to “free” it, outlining post-conflict goals that include the demilitarisation of the territory, Israeli military retaining “overriding security control,” and the establishment of a non-Israeli civilian administration. He also revealed that he had recently directed Israel’s military to allow more foreign journalists into Gaza a notable shift after 22 months of restricted access limited to military-escorted embeds.
Netanyahu pushed back strongly against what he called a “global campaign of lies,” singling out German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, one of Israel’s key allies, for “buckling under” by halting military exports that could be used in Gaza.
He maintained that many of Gaza’s ongoing problems, including civilian deaths, destruction, and aid shortages, are the result of Hamas’ continued presence, claiming the militant group still has thousands of armed fighters in the enclave. Netanyahu also said many Palestinians were “begging” the international community to help free them from Hamas control.
While denying that there is starvation in Gaza, he acknowledged deprivation and said Israel aims to increase aid distribution points, though he offered no specific timeline or operational details for doing so. (AP)