Gaza Aid Workers Killed in Attack Amid Rising Violence

Post by : Bianca Suleiman

Photo: Reuters

A new group called the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF) says that Hamas attacked one of its buses, killing at least eight Palestinian workers. The workers were on their way to deliver aid in southern Gaza on Wednesday night. The GHF also said more than two dozen workers were in the bus, and some may have been taken hostage.

This news independently, and Hamas has not commented. Earlier, Hamas had denied threatening the GHF workers.

At the same time, the Gaza health ministry, which is run by Hamas, said that 103 Palestinians died and over 400 were injured in the last 24 hours. This includes 21 people killed near aid distribution areas on Tuesday morning.

The GHF started its work on May 26. It was made to deliver aid in Gaza without using the United Nations (UN) or other big aid groups. But the new system has been criticized from the beginning. Many aid organizations and the UN say that it goes against important rules like neutrality, fairness, and independence.

Since the GHF started working, there have been shootings and deadly events near its aid centers almost every day. People are getting hurt or killed as they try to get food and help.

On Wednesday, hospitals in Gaza said that 25 more people died near a GHF aid center in the Netzarim corridor. The Gaza health ministry says that since GHF started working, 245 people have been killed and 2,152 injured while trying to collect aid from these centers.

The Israeli military has not confirmed the bus attack but shared GHF's message. They said, "Hamas will do anything to keep control and stop aid from reaching people."

John Acree, the temporary head of GHF, said they thought about closing aid centers after the attack but decided to stay open. He said, "We won’t let Hamas stop us from helping the people of Gaza."

Last Saturday, the GHF said Hamas made threats that made it hard to work. Hamas replied that GHF had “completely failed” in its mission.

People have also said the GHF system is not enough and unsafe. It makes people walk through dangerous areas to get to the aid centers. Many feel it is unfair and inhumane.

The US and Israel say the GHF is better because Hamas won’t be able to steal the aid. But the UN says stealing is not a big problem, and Hamas also denies it.

Also, on Thursday, the Palestinian Telecommunications Authority said that internet and phone services were cut off in Gaza. This happened after a strike hit the last fiber optic cable. The Palestinian Red Crescent Society said this is making it hard to run emergency services.

The war in Gaza has damaged homes, roads, water pipes, and power lines. The fighting started after a big attack by Hamas on October 7, 2023, in southern Israel. That attack killed about 1,200 people and 251 were taken hostage.

Since then, Gaza’s health ministry says over 55,000 people have died in the region.