Israel kills 72 in latest Gaza strikes as 549 aid seekers killed in a month

The death toll from the latest Israeli strikes on Gaza has risen to 72 people in the past 24 hours. Among those killed were Palestinians waiting in line for food aid, according to sources cited by Al Jazeera.

The Gaza Government Media Office reported that 549 Palestinians have been killed in the past month while trying to access humanitarian supplies. Additionally, over 4,000 people have been injured near aid distribution sites supported by the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), which receives backing from the United States and Israel.

Despite growing humanitarian needs, Israel has halted aid deliveries to northern Gaza, according to two officials. However, supplies are still allowed into southern parts of the territory. The restriction follows the circulation of videos showing masked men on aid trucks, which raised suspicions that Hamas was seizing aid meant for civilians.

In response, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Israel Katz issued a joint statement on Wednesday night. They said the army had been tasked with developing a new plan within 48 hours to prevent Hamas from taking control of humanitarian aid. They did not provide specific evidence to support their claim.

An Israeli government spokesperson confirmed that aid is still entering from the south, but avoided commenting on northern Gaza’s status.

The Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, the only group officially allowed to distribute food on Thursday, posted on X (formerly Twitter) that it was exempt from the 48-hour aid suspension imposed by Israeli authorities.

Meanwhile, The Higher Commission for Tribal Affairs in Gaza said the men seen riding aid trucks were local clan members—not Hamas fighters. These tribal groups, they claimed, are stepping up to protect and manage aid convoys amid growing chaos.

Hamas denied any role in the recent aid disruptions. The group, which has ruled Gaza for more than 20 years, now controls fewer areas after nearly two years of war with Israel.

As formal systems continue to collapse under the strain of war, tribes and civil society groups are increasingly taking responsibility for the distribution and protection of aid. Even Hamas’ political rival, Fatah, has been involved in securing convoys.

In Gaza, tribal networks based on family ties have historically played a key role in maintaining order, especially when official governance fails.