Warn of Famine and Medical Collapse in Gaza
On the second day of Eid al-Adha, Israeli airstrikes and gunfire killed at least 75 Palestinians and injured around 100 others across multiple locations in the Gaza Strip, Palestinian sources reported. The attacks, which began early Saturday morning, have intensified the humanitarian crisis in the area.
Gaza’s Civil Defence described an attack on the Sabra neighborhood in Gaza City as a “full-fledged massacre,” reporting at least 16 deaths and 50 injuries. Medical sources told Anadolu that Israeli warplanes fired two missiles at a residential home in Sabra, killing 15 people including six children, with fears the death toll could rise as rescue teams continue to search for those trapped under rubble.
Near Rafah, Israeli forces shot and killed at least eight Palestinians waiting near an aid distribution point in al-Akhawah. Since the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation began its operations, the total number of Palestinians killed while seeking aid has reached 118.
Further casualties were reported across Gaza: twelve people, including four from the same family, were killed when Israeli shelling targeted tents sheltering displaced people near Khan Younis; seven others died in an airstrike on a house west of Gaza City; two were killed in the Al-Saftawi neighborhood in northern Gaza; and three more died in an airstrike on a civilian gathering in the Abu Shrekh area near Jabalia refugee camp. Additionally, three Palestinians, including a child, were killed in a separate strike near Al-Mujayda station.
In total, since May 27, Israeli gunfire targeting Palestinians attempting to access humanitarian aid has killed 115 people, wounded over 580, and left nine missing, according to a tally by Anadolu.
On the first day of Eid al-Adha alone, Israeli airstrikes and shelling killed 36 Palestinians in Gaza.
Arrests in Hebron
Meanwhile, in the Hebron district, eight Palestinians were arrested, according to Wafa news agency. Five were detained near a water spring in Nahalin Town, west of Bethlehem; two brothers were arrested while tending livestock near their home, and another individual was taken from Ash-Shuyukh Town.
Warnings of Famine and Health System Collapse
Aid organizations and health officials have sounded urgent warnings about the imminent collapse of Gaza’s medical services and the growing threat of famine. Since Israel imposed a severe blockade in March, restricting food, medicine, and fuel supplies, Gaza’s residents face increasing shortages.
Although Israel allowed some aid shipments last month under international pressure, aid operations recently halted after Israeli forces fired near distribution centers.
World Health Organization (WHO) Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus highlighted the dire situation of Gaza’s healthcare system. He warned that Nasser Medical Complex—the main referral hospital—and Al-Amal Hospital in southern Gaza are at risk of becoming non-functional due to obstruction of access routes by Israeli authorities.
On social media, Ghebreyesus stated, “Gaza’s health system is collapsing… Without these hospitals, people will lose access to essential health services, including surgery, intensive care, blood transfusions, cancer treatment, and dialysis.”
He stressed that the hospitals’ closure would have catastrophic consequences and called for an immediate end to the ongoing destruction of medical facilities in Gaza. Ghebreyesus reiterated WHO’s demand for the release of hostages and an immediate, lasting ceasefire to prevent further humanitarian disaster.
