At least 116 Palestinians, including 38 civilians seeking humanitarian aid, were killed across the Gaza Strip on Saturday, July 19, in a fresh wave of Israeli strikes and gunfire. Eyewitnesses and health officials report that much of the violence occurred near food distribution centers managed by the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), a US- and Israeli-backed entity that operates outside the UN’s traditional aid channels. While GHF claims to have distributed millions of meals since its launch in May, nearly 900 people have died near its sites in recent weeks, often in stampedes or due to live fire from Israeli forces. On Saturday, the deadliest clashes took place in Khan Younis and Rafah, where Israeli drones and tanks allegedly fired on crowds. At Nasser Hospital, 25 bodies and 70 wounded were brought in, many with gunshot wounds to the head and chest. The Israeli army acknowledged firing warning shots near Rafah and said it is investigating the incident.
In Gaza City, the humanitarian situation continues to worsen. A 35-day-old baby died from malnutrition at al-Shifa Hospital, highlighting the growing food insecurity and collapse of medical services under the blockade. Elsewhere, airstrikes targeted tent shelters for displaced families, killing two in Gaza City and nine others—including women, children, and a local police officer—in central Gaza. According to the Gaza Health Ministry, over 58,000 Palestinians have been killed since Israel launched its military campaign following the October 7, 2023, Hamas attack that left 1,200 Israelis dead and 250 taken hostage. Nearly the entire population of Gaza—2.3 million people—has been displaced, and the UN warns of famine-like conditions. The chaos surrounding GHF’s operations has further intensified global scrutiny, as videos show tear gas, stun grenades, and gunfire being used to control desperate crowds seeking food.
Meanwhile, in the occupied West Bank, tensions are also flaring. US Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee condemned the July 9 arson attack by Israeli settlers on the historic Church of St. George in al-Zababdeh, calling it an act of terrorism. Despite ongoing ceasefire negotiations mediated by Qatar, progress remains stalled. Diplomatic sources warn that the growing humanitarian disaster may derail any possibility of a lasting truce. As Israeli strikes continue and aid delivery remains fraught with danger, international pressure is mounting for an urgent resolution to the conflict and accountability for civilian casualties.
