At least 25 Palestinians died on Wednesday after Israeli troops fired on people trying to get food and supplies, according to hospital staff and witnesses. Bodies arrived at Nasser and Awda hospitals from several locations. Witnesses said some victims were on their way to aid distribution sites, while others waited for convoys to enter Gaza. Israel has not yet commented on the incident.
Netanyahu’s plan for Gaza residents
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Tuesday that Palestinians should be “allowed” to leave Gaza. He explained this would include those in combat zones and anyone who wanted to leave the strip entirely. Netanyahu linked his plan to U.S. President Donald Trump’s earlier vision of relocating Gaza’s population. He said Israel is “not pushing them out but allowing them to leave.” The Associated Press reported that Israel and South Sudan have discussed moving Palestinians to the African nation. However, Israeli Deputy Foreign Minister Sharren Haskel, now visiting South Sudan, said she will not raise the relocation issue during her meetings.
Ceasefire talks resume slowly
Efforts to restart ceasefire negotiations have resumed after breaking down last month. Hamas and Egyptian officials met Wednesday to discuss stopping the fighting, according to Hamas official Taher al-Nounou. However, Netanyahu’s office confirmed Israel will not send negotiators to Cairo for now. Israel plans to expand its offensive to the remaining areas of Gaza where most of the 2 million residents have taken refuge.
Critics say this could be a move to pressure Hamas into a deal. The group still holds 50 hostages from its October 7, 2023 attack. Israel believes around 20 of them are alive. Egypt is pushing for a 60-day ceasefire that includes releasing some hostages and sending in more humanitarian aid before negotiating a lasting truce. Hamas demands a full Israeli withdrawal, the release of Palestinian prisoners, and a permanent ceasefire before freeing all remaining hostages.
Violence near aid distribution sites
On Wednesday, Israeli gunfire killed 14 Palestinians in the Teina area, about three kilometers from a Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF) food site, according to Nasser hospital staff. Witness Hashim Shamalah said soldiers fired at people trying to reach aid, causing many to fall while running away. In the Netzarim corridor, five more Palestinians died under Israeli fire near another GHF site. GHF, supported by the U.S. and Israel, denied any incidents at its locations that day. It blamed most recent violence on crowds looting other aid convoys passing nearby.
Starvation threat in Gaza
Nasser hospital reported six more deaths near the Morag corridor while people waited for aid trucks. The U.N. and food experts warn that hunger and malnutrition are at record levels since the war began. Gaza’s Health Ministry says five people died in the past 24 hours from starvation, while 106 children and 129 adults have died from malnutrition-related causes since late June. U.N. spokesman Stephane Dujarric said aid deliveries still face major delays from Israeli restrictions, preventing food and essential supplies from reaching Gaza at the required scale.
Scale of war’s devastation
Hamas-led militants killed about 1,200 people and kidnapped 251 in the October 7 attack, mostly civilians. Most hostages have since been freed through temporary ceasefires and deals. Israel’s air and ground assault has displaced most of Gaza’s people, destroyed large areas, and pushed the territory to the brink of famine. Gaza’s Health Ministry reports over 61,700 Palestinians have been killed, around half of them women and children. Israel disputes these numbers but has not released its own count.