91 Dead at Gaza Food Centers in 24 Hours; Palestinians Accuse Israel; Trump's Special Envoy Arrives in Gaza to Assess Situation.
Gaza Food Crisis: The humanitarian crisis in the Gaza Strip continues to deepen. In the past 24 hours, 91 Palestinian civilians have died at food distribution centers and while trying to obtain aid. The Gaza Health Ministry alleges that Israeli military violence is responsible for these deaths. The ministry claims that people were shot while heading towards the centers to collect food.
Israel Denies Allegations
The Israeli administration has completely rejected these allegations. Israel claims that its forces only act in self-defense and that harming civilians is not their objective. However, local accounts and eyewitness testimonies cast doubt on this claim.
Trump's Envoy to Inspect Conditions in Gaza
Given the severity of the situation, US President Donald Trump has dispatched his special envoy, Steve Witkoff, to Gaza. Witkoff arrived in Israel on Thursday, where he will assess the current state of humanitarian aid distribution in Gaza.
White House Statement
In a statement released by the White House, it was stated that Witkoff will inspect various food distribution centers in Gaza during his visit. He will be accompanied by the US Ambassador to Israel, Mike Huckabee. Both officials will visit the locations where the recent crowd surge and shooting incidents occurred on Friday.
Stampede at Zikim Junction
The most horrific incident occurred on Wednesday at the Zikim junction in northern Gaza, where a stampede broke out among hundreds of people waiting for food distribution. 54 people were killed in the chaos. It was reported that the response of the security forces further worsened the situation.
Over 600 People Injured
According to the Gaza Health Ministry, in these 24 hours, not only were there fatalities, but also over 600 people were injured. These injured individuals are not receiving immediate treatment due to limited medical resources, further complicating the situation.
Deteriorating Humanitarian Crisis in Gaza
Gaza is already suffering from the ravages of war and blockade. There is a severe shortage of basic necessities such as electricity, clean water, healthcare services, and food. International organizations have warned that if this situation does not improve immediately, even more lives could be lost.
