Israeli forces killed six armed Palestinian men guarding humanitarian aid trucks in Gaza on Saturday. Witnesses said the men tried to stop looting of the supplies during the delivery. Israel claimed the men were Hamas members, but Hamas denied this and said they were security teams protecting aid workers. Israeli drones struck the truck area during the operation.
Since Monday, Israel reported that 388 aid trucks entered Gaza. Palestinian organizations contested this, saying only 119 trucks crossed at Karem Shalom. This difference highlights deep mistrust between the two sides. Aid groups warned that looting and violence threaten the safe delivery of supplies to those in need.
The Israeli military said it hit more than 100 Hamas-related targets in 24 hours. These targets included buildings, tunnels, rocket launchers, and other infrastructure. The Gaza Health Ministry reported that at least 60 people were killed in one day due to Israeli attacks. Heavy bombardments continued across northern and southern parts of Gaza.
The strikes followed Hamas’s attack on southern Israel on October 7, 2023, which killed about 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and led to mass hostage-taking. Hamas captured 251 hostages; 58 remain captive and 20 are believed to be alive. The conflict has caused massive civilian casualties and destruction. The Gaza Health Ministry reported over 53,700 Palestinians killed, mostly women and children.
Palestinians and Israeli soldiers told the Associated Press about alleged abuses by Israeli troops. They said soldiers forced Palestinians into dangerous areas to act as human shields. Witnesses reported that soldiers sent detainees into homes and tunnels to check for threats. An Israeli officer confirmed this practice within some units, saying higher officers ordered the use of civilians in risky operations.
Israel denied these accusations and said it prohibits using civilians as shields. Investigations were launched into several incidents during the 19-month war. Human rights groups condemned these alleged tactics as violations of international law.
The ongoing violence and mistrust make it difficult to deliver humanitarian aid safely. Violence and looting threaten the supply chain, worsening the crisis in Gaza. The gap in reported aid trucks shows how challenging aid efforts are amid the war.
