Daijiworld Media Network- Gaza

Gaza, Jul 4: At least 69 Palestinians were reportedly killed on Thursday as Israel intensified its air strikes across the Gaza Strip, with several casualties reported near aid distribution sites and civilian shelters, according to rescuers and local medics.

The Hamas-run Civil Defence agency confirmed that 15 people, mostly women and children, lost their lives in a pre-dawn strike on a school-turned-shelter in Gaza City’s al-Rimal neighbourhood. Israel claimed the strike targeted a “key Hamas terrorist” operating from a “command-and-control centre”, though it did not acknowledge striking a school.

Eyewitness Wafaa al-Arqan, who survived the school strike, told Reuters: “Suddenly, we found the tent collapsing over us and a fire burning... Is it fair that all these children burned?”

Meanwhile, 38 others were reportedly killed while either queuing for aid or on their way to distribution centres. Civil Defence officials said 25 died near the Israeli-controlled Netzarim corridor, six in a nearby area, and seven in Rafah, in southern Gaza.

Separately, medics at Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis reported 20 fatalities near an aid distribution centre.

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) confirmed conducting around 150 strikes in the past 24 hours, targeting what they described as “terror infrastructure” including tunnels, weapons caches, and Hamas fighters.

IDF spokesman Brig-Gen Effie Defrin admitted that the situation on the ground remains “complex”, adding that the military is “drawing lessons from every incident to prevent similar cases in the future.” However, he dismissed reports of mass casualties at aid sites as “lies.”

Despite IDF claims of precautionary measures, residents and aid workers say no place in Gaza is safe. A man from the al-Mawasi area, designated as a “safe zone” by Israel, said his tent was destroyed in a strike that killed several displaced people. “The occupation says there are safe zones, but every place is a target,” he said.

The humanitarian crisis has worsened as the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF) — a US- and Israel-backed aid group — continues distribution under private security. The GHF said it distributed over one million food boxes, and denied allegations that its security teams fired on civilians.

However, UN agencies and international aid groups refuse to work with GHF, citing violations of humanitarian neutrality.

Since the GHF began operating in late May, Gaza’s health ministry claims at least 408 people have died near its distribution sites, while another 175 were killed along UN aid routes.

The renewed escalation comes as pressure mounts on both Israel and Hamas to agree to a ceasefire and hostage-release deal being pushed by US President Donald Trump.

The Israeli offensive began after the October 7, 2023 Hamas attack that left 1,200 Israelis dead and 251 taken hostage. Since then, the Gaza health ministry reports that over 57,130 people have been killed in the Palestinian enclave.

With civilian casualties mounting and no truce in sight, the humanitarian situation in Gaza continues to spiral out of control.