Rafah, Gaza Strip – The United Nations agency for Palestinian refugees reported on Wednesday that a tragic incident occurred when an Israeli airstrike targeted a food distribution center in southern Gaza, resulting in the death of at least one staff member and injuring 22 others. In response, the Israeli military acknowledged the attack, stating that they were targeting a Hamas commander within the building in Rafah, identified as Muhammad Abu Hasna, who was allegedly involved in controlling humanitarian aid distribution to Hamas members.
Hamas confirmed the death of Abu Hasna and identified him as the deputy head of police operations in Rafah. The U.N. Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) condemned the strike, revealing that the distribution center near the Egyptian border was hit despite sharing its coordinates with Israel and other parties involved in the conflict. The agency did not disclose further details about the attack or the identity of the slain staff member, although local human rights organizations reported a higher casualty count.
The unfortunate incident unfolded amidst a dire hunger crisis in Gaza, exacerbated by alleged Israeli obstruction of relief supplies to the region. The ongoing conflict has pushed Gaza into a state of despair, leading to malnutrition and dehydration-related deaths in hospitals. Despite denials from Israel regarding the restriction of aid deliveries, humanitarian groups continue to face challenges in providing essential assistance to those in need.
As the situation continues to deteriorate, international efforts have been launched to address the escalating humanitarian crisis in Gaza. Countries like Jordan, Egypt, and the United States have initiated air and sea drops of food and supplies to alleviate the suffering of the people in Gaza. However, concerns persist among diplomats and aid organizations about the adequacy of these measures in meeting the overwhelming needs of the population in Gaza.
In a statement, Philippe Lazzarini, the UNRWA Commissioner-General, emphasized the criticality of protecting aid facilities and personnel to ensure uninterrupted relief operations in the region. Expressing solidarity with Gaza’s population, U.N. humanitarian chief Martin Griffiths described the attack as devastating and called for an end to the ongoing conflict to safeguard the lives of civilians and aid workers.
Amid mounting international pressure, calls for opening land borders for aid access have been emphasized as a crucial step to address the vast humanitarian needs in Gaza. The European Union’s top diplomat, Josep Borrell, stressed the urgency of expanding aid delivery mechanisms beyond air and sea drops to effectively address the crisis. Similarly, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken underscored the importance of safeguarding humanitarian facilities from attacks to enable aid organizations to fulfill their vital mission.
In the face of intensifying challenges and rising casualties, the urgency to find lasting solutions to the humanitarian crisis in Gaza remains paramount, underscoring the need for concerted global efforts to alleviate the suffering and ensure the well-being of the population in the region.