At least 52 Palestinians were killed in Israeli airstrikes across Gaza since dawn Thursday, medical sources confirm. Among the dead, 26 perished in drone attacks while waiting for food at U.S.-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF) distribution points. Al-Awda Hospital received 10 bodies and 200 wounded from the Netzarim checkpoint strike, while al-Shifa Hospital documented six fatalities at Netzarim and as-Sudaniya sites—adding to over 220 aid-seeker deaths since GHF’s launch in May.
UNRWA chief Philippe Lazzarini condemned the GHF’s distribution system as a "deeply flawed dystopian ‘Hunger Games’" after Thursday’s attacks. The foundation—led by Trump ally Johnnie Moore Jr.—faces boycotts from major aid groups for politicizing assistance and operating within Israeli militarized zones. Critics note its sparse sites exclude vulnerable groups like the elderly and malnourished children, with 20kg aid boxes requiring physical carrying capacity many lack. The UN insists only its reactivated 400-distribution-point model can prevent famine.
Hamas accused Israel of intensifying its "war of extermination" as Gaza-wide internet and phone blackouts hampered emergency responses. UN agencies reported being unable to contact staff, delaying medical evacuations and aid coordination. The outages coincided with Israeli shelling near Jabalia refugee camp that killed two more Palestinians, underscoring the siege’s stranglehold on civilian safety.
Amid the carnage, the UN General Assembly prepared to vote Thursday on a resolution demanding an "immediate, unconditional, and permanent ceasefire"—a move Israel lobbied against as "politically motivated." Diplomats anticipate overwhelming support, mirroring December 2024’s 158-7 vote. The text also calls for full Israeli withdrawal, hostage-prisoner exchanges, and lifting aid restrictions causing "starvation warfare." Last week’s U.S. Security Council veto of similar terms isolated Washington, with acting envoy Dorothy Shea insisting Hamas must disarm first.
The violence follows Israel’s March 18 surprise offensive—Operation Might and Sword—that shattered a 42-day ceasefire by killing 400+ Palestinians overnight. Israel claimed Hamas refused truce extensions, though mediators noted Hamas’ willingness to proceed under January’s original terms. Since then, Israel’s blockade has pushed 500,000 into famine, with the GHF’s contested operations failing to offset aid shortages.