Hamas-Linked Attack Claims Lives of Palestinian Aid Workers in Gaza
Gaza Humanitarian Foundation reports attack on staff amid intensified violence and humanitarian crisis.
The Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), an aid organization backed by the United States and Israel, has reported that eight of its Palestinian workers were killed in an attack by Hamas.
This incident occurred on Wednesday night as the bus transporting over two dozen workers was en route to a distribution center in southern Gaza, following what GHF described as days of threats from the militant group.
The group issued a statement condemning the attack, which it characterized as a ‘heinous and deliberate act.'
Hamas has not provided a comment regarding the GHF’s allegations, and the authenticity of the account cited by the organization cannot be independently verified.
However, Gaza’s Hamas-controlled health ministry reported that 103 Palestinians were killed and more than 400 injured in various incidents across Gaza within a 24-hour period.
This toll included 21 fatalities from clashes near designated aid distribution areas.
Established on May 26, the GHF operates outside of traditional United Nations frameworks to facilitate aid distribution.
Its operations have frequently drawn scrutiny, criticized for conflict with the humanitarian principles of neutrality and independence, as non-compliance with established channels has led to allegations of exacerbating violence.
The United Nations and several humanitarian organizations have expressed concerns regarding the GHF's approach.
On Wednesday, the GHF reported additional casualties near one of its sites in Gaza's Netzarim corridor, indicating that at least 25 individuals lost their lives in nearby clashes.
Since its inception, the GHF claims that 245 people have died while attempting to access aid designated through its centers.
Conflicts surrounding the operations of the GHF reflect a broader humanitarian crisis in Gaza, exacerbated by military actions following a Hamas-led attack on southern Israel on October 7, 2023, which resulted in approximately 1,200 fatalities and the abduction of 251 individuals.
In retaliation, Israel has initiated extensive military operations in Gaza, leading to severe infrastructural damage and casualties.
Current estimates from the Hamas-run health ministry suggest that at least 55,104 have died in Gaza amid ongoing hostilities.
In parallel developments, Israeli security forces recently recovered the bodies of two Israeli hostages previously taken by Hamas, according to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
Among the deceased is Yair (Yaya) Yaakov, a 59-year-old man killed during the initial Hamas-led assault.
Netanyahu confirmed that efforts to rescue the remaining hostages are ongoing, with 53 individuals still believed to be in captivity, at least 20 of whom are reportedly alive.
In a separate humanitarian incident, Dr. Alaa al-Najjar, a Palestinian doctor whose nine children and husband were killed in an aerial strike, is being evacuated from Gaza alongside her only surviving child for medical treatment in Italy.
Their departure marks one of several evacuations aimed at addressing medical emergencies stemming from the conflict.
The Italian Foreign Ministry stated that, up to this point, over 150 Palestinian patients have been evacuated to Italy for necessary medical care.
As the situation rapidly evolves, communication infrastructure in Gaza remains severely compromised, with internet and fixed-line services down after attacks on fiber optic cables, complicating emergency response efforts.
The volatile environment has raised international concerns regarding safety, access to essentials, and the broader implications of the ongoing conflict for humanitarian agencies operating in the region.
This incident occurred on Wednesday night as the bus transporting over two dozen workers was en route to a distribution center in southern Gaza, following what GHF described as days of threats from the militant group.
The group issued a statement condemning the attack, which it characterized as a ‘heinous and deliberate act.'
Hamas has not provided a comment regarding the GHF’s allegations, and the authenticity of the account cited by the organization cannot be independently verified.
However, Gaza’s Hamas-controlled health ministry reported that 103 Palestinians were killed and more than 400 injured in various incidents across Gaza within a 24-hour period.
This toll included 21 fatalities from clashes near designated aid distribution areas.
Established on May 26, the GHF operates outside of traditional United Nations frameworks to facilitate aid distribution.
Its operations have frequently drawn scrutiny, criticized for conflict with the humanitarian principles of neutrality and independence, as non-compliance with established channels has led to allegations of exacerbating violence.
The United Nations and several humanitarian organizations have expressed concerns regarding the GHF's approach.
On Wednesday, the GHF reported additional casualties near one of its sites in Gaza's Netzarim corridor, indicating that at least 25 individuals lost their lives in nearby clashes.
Since its inception, the GHF claims that 245 people have died while attempting to access aid designated through its centers.
Conflicts surrounding the operations of the GHF reflect a broader humanitarian crisis in Gaza, exacerbated by military actions following a Hamas-led attack on southern Israel on October 7, 2023, which resulted in approximately 1,200 fatalities and the abduction of 251 individuals.
In retaliation, Israel has initiated extensive military operations in Gaza, leading to severe infrastructural damage and casualties.
Current estimates from the Hamas-run health ministry suggest that at least 55,104 have died in Gaza amid ongoing hostilities.
In parallel developments, Israeli security forces recently recovered the bodies of two Israeli hostages previously taken by Hamas, according to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
Among the deceased is Yair (Yaya) Yaakov, a 59-year-old man killed during the initial Hamas-led assault.
Netanyahu confirmed that efforts to rescue the remaining hostages are ongoing, with 53 individuals still believed to be in captivity, at least 20 of whom are reportedly alive.
In a separate humanitarian incident, Dr. Alaa al-Najjar, a Palestinian doctor whose nine children and husband were killed in an aerial strike, is being evacuated from Gaza alongside her only surviving child for medical treatment in Italy.
Their departure marks one of several evacuations aimed at addressing medical emergencies stemming from the conflict.
The Italian Foreign Ministry stated that, up to this point, over 150 Palestinian patients have been evacuated to Italy for necessary medical care.
As the situation rapidly evolves, communication infrastructure in Gaza remains severely compromised, with internet and fixed-line services down after attacks on fiber optic cables, complicating emergency response efforts.
The volatile environment has raised international concerns regarding safety, access to essentials, and the broader implications of the ongoing conflict for humanitarian agencies operating in the region.
