Israeli Airstrike in Central Gaza Claims 18 Lives Amid Growing Turmoil Over Food Distribution Issues

DEIR AL-BALAH, Gaza Strip — On Thursday, an Israeli airstrike targeted a street in central Gaza, where a crowd of individuals was gathering to receive bags of flour from a Palestinian police unit. This unit had confiscated the goods from gangs engaged in looting aid convoys.

Hospital officials reported that the attack resulted in the deaths of 18 people. This incident marked yet more violence amidst the ongoing crisis of food distribution in Gaza, which has faced significant turmoil in recent months.

Following a two-and-a-half-month blockade on food supplies, Israel has only permitted a limited amount of aid into the territory since mid-May. The United Nations’ attempts to distribute food have frequently been disrupted by armed gangs that loot trucks and by crowds of desperate individuals attempting to secure supplies.

The strike in Deir al-Balah appeared to specifically target members of Sahm, a security unit responsible for preventing looting and holding corrupt merchants accountable. Part of Gaza’s Hamas-led Interior Ministry, the unit is comprised of members from various factions.

Witnesses recounted that the Sahm unit was actively distributing flour and other essentials when the strike occurred. Graphic video footage revealed the aftermath, showing several bodies, including that of a child and at least seven Sahm members.

Israel’s military has not issued an immediate response. The Israeli government has accused Hamas of stealing aid and claimed that Gaza’s police force acts as an extension of the militant group.

Meanwhile, a newly formed association of Gaza’s clans has begun to independently safeguard aid convoys to deter looting and ensure that supplies reach those in need. Yet, the association’s collaboration with the U.N. or Israeli officials remains uncertain, and the distribution of humanitarian aid has turned chaotic, with Palestinian families struggling to procure food for survival.

As the conflict continues, the devastating toll on Gaza’s civilian population escalates, highlighting the necessity for a reliable and secure aid system in the region.