Repeated Attacks on Civilians Gathering for Food Spark International Condemnation
Israeli forces fired on Palestinians collecting flour from aid trucks in central Gaza on Tuesday, injuring dozens, according to Palestinian sources. This marks the latest in a series of deadly incidents near humanitarian distribution points in the besieged territory.
Rising Death Toll in Aid Queue Attacks
The Gaza Media Office reported that at least 36 people were killed and over 208 wounded near US and Israeli-controlled aid distribution points on Tuesday alone. Since the conflict began, 163 civilians have died and 1,495 have been injured while attempting to access humanitarian supplies.
The office accused the so-called “Gaza Humanitarian Foundation” of collaborating with Israeli forces to turn aid distribution into “death traps,” violating principles of neutrality and facilitating what they called “genocidal crimes against starving civilians.”
UN Official Decries “Humiliating” Aid System
Philippe Lazzarini, Commissioner-General of UNRWA, condemned the current aid distribution model, stating it forces desperate civilians to walk miles only to face violence. “This system isn’t designed to address hunger,” he wrote on social media, demanding Israel lift restrictions and allow UN agencies to safely distribute aid at scale.
Lazzarini revealed that enough supplies for 6,000 trucks sit rotting in warehouses outside Gaza due to access restrictions, calling the blockade “an outrage.”
Five Western Nations Sanction Israeli Far-Right Ministers
Asset Freezes and Travel Bans Imposed
Britain, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and Norway jointly sanctioned Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich for inciting violence against Palestinians. The measures include asset freezes and travel bans.
Israel Retaliates With Economic Measures
Smotrich ordered the cancellation of a critical financial agreement with Palestinian banks in response, potentially collapsing the Palestinian banking system and disrupting payments for essential services.
US Shifts Stance on Palestinian Statehood
Ambassador Signals Policy Reversal
US Ambassador to Israel Mike Herzog told Bloomberg Washington no longer fully supports Palestinian statehood, suggesting any future state would require land from a Muslim country rather than the West Bank. The remarks drew no immediate White House response despite contradicting longstanding US and UN positions on the two-state solution.
Trump Opposes Israeli Strike on Iran
Nuclear Talks to Resume
US and Israeli officials revealed former President Donald Trump advised Prime Minister Netanyahu against military action on Iran, believing a nuclear deal remains possible. Iran confirmed new talks with the US would begin on June 15, continuing negotiations that resumed in April after a six-year hiatus.
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