In a devastating escalation of violence, Israeli airstrikes killed at least 25 Palestinians in northern Gaza on Tuesday as desperate civilians sought humanitarian aid and shelter amid the ongoing conflict. The attacks struck near aid distribution points and makeshift refugee encampments, according to Gaza health officials and eyewitness accounts.
“The explosions came without warning,” said Mohammed Abed, a Gaza City resident who witnessed the aftermath. “People were simply trying to find food and safe places for their families when the strikes hit.”
The Israeli military claimed the operations targeted Hamas militants who were allegedly using aid distribution sites as cover for operations. However, international aid organizations working in the area reported no militant activity near their distribution centers at the time of the strikes.
This latest round of casualties pushes the Palestinian death toll over 40,000 since the conflict began last October, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry. The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) confirmed that approximately 70% of Gaza’s infrastructure now lies in ruins, severely hampering aid delivery efforts across the territory.
The humanitarian situation remains catastrophic, with nearly two million Palestinians displaced and facing acute shortages of food, clean water, and medical supplies. The World Food Programme reports that hunger has reached “unprecedented levels” with over 90% of Gaza’s population experiencing food insecurity.
“We’re seeing the complete collapse of civilian infrastructure,” said Dr. Sarah Levin, an emergency physician with Doctors Without Borders. “Hospitals are overwhelmed, operating without basic supplies and under constant threat of bombardment.”
The strikes come amid stalled ceasefire negotiations, with mediators from Qatar and Egypt struggling to bring both sides back to the table. International pressure for a humanitarian pause has intensified, with the UN Security Council calling for immediate unimpeded access for aid convoys throughout Gaza.
Meanwhile, protests demanding an end to military operations have grown across major Canadian cities, with thousands gathering in Toronto, Montreal, and Vancouver over the weekend. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has called for restraint and protection of civilian lives while maintaining Canada’s support for Israel’s right to defend itself.
“The targeting of civilians can never be justified under any circumstances,” said Trudeau during a press conference in Ottawa. “All parties must respect international humanitarian law.”
The economic impact of the prolonged conflict continues to devastate Gaza’s already fragile economy, with business analysts estimating reconstruction costs could exceed $50 billion. Meanwhile, humanitarian organizations warn that even if fighting stopped immediately, it would take decades to rebuild Gaza’s destroyed infrastructure.
As night fell over Gaza, rescue workers continued searching through rubble for survivors by flashlight, with hospitals reporting critical shortages of fuel for generators. The question that haunts the international community remains unanswered: how many more civilians must die before diplomatic efforts yield a sustainable path to peace?
