Gaza Ceasefire Hopes Amid Growing Civilian Casualties
WASHINGTON: On Friday, former President Donald Trump expressed hope for a ceasefire in Gaza, as concern mounted over rising civilian deaths linked to food distribution centers supported by Israel.
When asked by reporters about the likelihood of a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, Trump stated, “We expect to see a ceasefire within the next week.”
The United States previously helped establish a ceasefire during the last days of President Joe Biden’s term with backing from Trump’s team.
For over two months, Israel had restricted all food and supplies from entering Gaza, prompting warnings of potential famine. Recently, Israel has allowed some food deliveries through the controversial Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), which operates with cooperation from U.S. security contractors and Israeli troops.
United Nations officials raised alarms on Friday about the GHF’s operations, suggesting it contributed to the deaths of many individuals seeking assistance. They faced accusations from Israel of siding with Hamas.
Witnesses and local leaders have reported numerous civilian casualties at aid distribution sites in the besieged region, where Israeli forces are engaged in conflict with Hamas.
Reports of Deaths in Gaza
According to rescuers, at least 62 individuals have been killed by Israeli fire. The Israeli military has denied any intent to target civilians, and GHF claims no fatal incidents have occurred at its facilities.
However, UN officials and various aid groups recently condemned what they describe as a surge in fatalities among those in need of assistance. Philippe Lazzarini, the head of the UN agency for Palestinian refugees (UNWRA), remarked, "The new aid distribution system has become a killing field," with people being shot while trying to secure food for themselves and their families. He emphasized that there must be a return to UN-led humanitarian deliveries.
The health ministry in Gaza stated that over 500 people have died while trying to access aid since late May. The territory’s civil defense agency has also reported consistent casualties among those seeking help.
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres remarked, “Searching for food should never be a death sentence.”
Aid Restrictions and Accusations
Israel has stopped aid to Gaza, accusing Hamas of misappropriating it. Medical charity Doctors Without Borders (MSF) criticized the GHF’s operations as “slaughter masquerading as humanitarian aid.”
This statement sparked a strong rebuttal from Israel, which claimed the GHF had provided around 46 million meals in Gaza. The Israeli foreign ministry accused the UN of opposing these efforts and suggested it was aligning itself with Hamas’s goals.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu dismissed an article from the left-leaning daily Haaretz, which alleged that military commanders had instructed troops to fire on crowds at aid centers, even when they were not a threat. The Israeli military is reportedly investigating allegations of “suspected war crimes” regarding actions at these sites.
Recent Casualties
According to Gaza’s civil defense agency, 80 Palestinians were reported dead on Friday due to Israeli strikes or gunfire, including several who were waiting for aid.
The Israeli military stated they were looking into these incidents but denied involvement in certain reported shooting locations. Civil defense spokesman Mahmud Bassal indicated that multiple fatalities occurred at various aid distribution points and that an airstrike hit a school housing displaced individuals in northern Gaza, resulting in additional deaths.
