On the morning of 10/7, an Israeli bomb struck families waiting for medical treatment and supplemental food outside a clinic run by the non-governmental organization Project Hope in Deir al-Balah, central Gaza Strip. The attack killed at least 15 people, including 10 children.
"Innocent families were ruthlessly attacked while waiting for the clinic to open. This is a blatant violation of international humanitarian law," said Rabih Torbey, CEO of Project Hope.
The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) explained that the airstrike targeted a Hamas gunman involved in the 7/10/2023 cross-border attack and "regrets any harm to non-combatants". The IDF did not confirm the number of casualties and said it was reviewing the incident.
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A Palestinian teenager mourns his sister killed in the Israeli airstrike on the crowd queuing in front of the clinic on 10/7. Photo: Reuters |
A Palestinian teenager mourns his sister killed in the Israeli airstrike on the crowd queuing in front of the clinic on 10/7. Photo: Reuters
Following the airstrike, Project Hope decided to suspend operations at the Deir al-Balah clinic. "What was our fault? What was the children's fault?" asked 35-year-old Mohammed Abu Ouda, who was waiting outside the clinic when the bombing occurred.
Negotiations between Hamas and Israel are underway in Doha. Qatar, which is mediating the talks, said it may take time for the parties to reach a ceasefire agreement due to significant obstacles.
Israel wants to maintain military operations in Gaza after a ceasefire, while Hamas demands the IDF's complete withdrawal from the territory.
Around two million Gaza residents are struggling after 21 months of continuous evacuations and bombardment, pushed to the brink of famine due to the Israeli blockade of border crossings. Israel recently eased the blockade and, in coordination with the US, operates the Gaza Humanitarian Fund (GHF) to distribute aid, bypassing traditional UN-led relief mechanisms.
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Locations of GHF distribution points in Gaza. Graphic: NPR |
Locations of GHF distribution points in Gaza. Graphic: NPR
Gaza health authorities and international medical groups in the territory report that thousands of Gazans have been injured or killed by Israeli fire while trying to obtain aid at GHF distribution points. Many left empty-handed due to food being seized by crowds.
Human rights organizations and the UN have condemned the GHF's aid distribution model as militarized, dangerous, and inconsistent with international law.
Duc Trung (Guardian, AFP, Reuters)
