Israeli Attack on Palestinians Waiting in Line for Food in Gaza, 9 Children Killed** *Source: Al Jazeera

A Palestinian mother, Samah Al-Nuri, lost her daughter in an Israeli attack near a medical center in Deir al-Balah on Thursday. She was seen consoling her son, holding him close to her chest.

At least 82 people were killed in Israeli attacks in Gaza on Thursday, according to the local health ministry. These attacks occurred amid ongoing discussions for a ceasefire in Gaza and criticism of the Israel-U.S. plan to forcibly relocate Palestinians in Rafah. Among the victims, 15 people, including 9 children and 4 women, were killed in an Israeli attack while standing in line to collect food in the Deir al-Balah area. Additionally, at least 30 others were injured, 19 of whom were children. UNICEF Executive Director Catherine Russell condemned the attack, stating, “The way family members seeking aid were killed is utterly inhumane. This incident is a stark reflection of the brutal reality unfolding in Gaza. For months, sufficient aid has not been allowed to enter, and the parties involved in the conflict are failing to fulfill their basic responsibility to protect civilians.” Russell further noted, “The shortage of humanitarian aid means children are suffering from hunger, increasing the risk of famine. If aid and services are not provided fully, the number of malnourished children will continue to rise.” She called on Israel to ensure a thorough investigation into the attack and to fully comply with international human rights law. The Palestinian resistance organization Hamas also condemned the attack, describing it as part of Israel’s “ongoing genocidal campaign” in the Gaza Strip. In a statement, Hamas said, “Israel has intensified its brutal massacre of innocent people in schools, roads, shelters, and civilian areas. These attacks are being carried out deliberately, amounting to a full-fledged ethnic cleansing campaign, happening in plain sight of the entire world.” Since Hamas’s attack on Israel on October 7, 2023, which killed 1,139 people, Israel has launched a relentless offensive in Gaza. According to Gaza’s health ministry, at least 57,762 Palestinians have been killed and 137,656 others injured in Israeli attacks to date. Meanwhile, since last Sunday, representatives of Israel and Hamas have been engaged in ceasefire talks mediated by the United States, Qatar, and Egypt. The goal is to temporarily halt Israeli attacks in Gaza and secure the release of hostages. Hamas has expressed willingness to release 10 hostages as part of a 60-day ceasefire. However, on Thursday, Hamas stated that differences remain regarding the entry of aid into Gaza and the withdrawal of Israeli forces. On the final day of his U.S. visit, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu held multiple meetings in Washington, stating that Israel is working toward a deal for a 60-day ceasefire and the release of half of the 50 hostages in Gaza. He added that if the agreement is reached, Israel is prepared to discuss a permanent end to the war, provided Hamas disarms and relinquishes its governance and military control over Gaza.