By Harun Nasrullah
London, (The Muslim News): Israeli forces have killed 1,881 Palestinians — nearly one in 30 of all Palestinians killed by Israeli attacks — while they were trying to collect humanitarian aid, Gaza’s Health Ministry reported. Another 13,863 have been injured at aid distribution points.
The Israeli blockade is also driving a deadly famine. Nearly one in 260 Palestinians has died from starvation, with 239 people, including 106 children, succumbing to hunger and malnutrition.
The overall death toll from Israel’s attacks in Gaza has now reached 61,776, with 154,906 injured, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry. Many victims remain trapped under rubble or stranded on roads, as ambulances and civil defence teams are unable to reach them.
Thursday saw some of the deadliest incidents in weeks. Israeli airstrikes hit a home in Gaza City’s Zeitoun neighbourhood, killing eight family members and injuring several others. Another strike in al-Tuffah killed two, while an attack on a residential apartment left several more injured.
In Khan Younis, Israeli forces opened fire on civilians at an aid distribution point, killing 16 and injuring many others, medics said. Artillery fire also killed one Palestinian north of al-Bureij camp in central Gaza and another in Gaza City’s Zeitoun district.
In northwestern Gaza, Israeli forces shot at Palestinians waiting for aid near Zikim, killing eight and wounding dozens. Shelling on displacement tents in northern Khan Younis caused no reported casualties.
Israelis announce building of more illegal settlements in West Bank
Beyond Gaza, Israel is facing renewed international condemnation for its settlement expansion in the occupied West Bank.
On Thursday, UN Secretary-General António Guterres strongly opposed Israeli plans to construct thousands of new illegal settler units that would effectively split the territory into two disconnected parts.
“Our position is clear – the Israeli settlements in the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, and the regime associated with them have been established and are being maintained in violation of international law,” a statement from his spokesperson’s office said.
It warned that these illegal settlements would “further entrench the occupation (and) fuel tensions” and “systematically erode the viability of a Palestinian State as part of a two-state solution.”
“Construction in the E1 area would sever the northern and southern West Bank, severely undermining the prospects for the realisation of a viable, contiguous Palestinian state,” it added.
UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy issued a similar warning, stating, “The situation in Gaza is appalling, and the Israeli government’s actions are further jeopardising the two-state solution.” Writing on X, he said he had discussed with his Canadian and French counterparts “the need for an immediate ceasefire, release of all hostages, flood of aid, and a plan to deliver lasting peace.” However, Lammy did not say what action UK will take against Israel which continues to occupy Palestinian lands since 1967.
Israeli media reported on Thursday that Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich had approved the construction of 3,401 illegal settler units in Ma’ale Adumim, east of Jerusalem, and 3,515 more in surrounding areas.
The project is part of a plan that would sever the connection between the northern and southern West Bank, isolating East Jerusalem.
The Palestinian Foreign Ministry condemned the move as part of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s vision for “Greater Israel”, warning that it would deepen the occupation and eliminate the possibility of a Palestinian state.
The EU’s foreign policy chief, Kaja Kallas, also urged Israel to halt its settlement plans. She warned, “The EU reiterates its call on Israel to halt settlement construction. Israel’s settlement policy, including demolitions, forced transfers, evictions, and confiscations of homes, must stop.”
She further noted that if settlement construction in this area proceeds, it will permanently sever the geographical and territorial contiguity between occupied East Jerusalem and the West Bank, as well as the connection between the northern and southern West Bank. Again she did not say what action EU will be taking against Israel.
Israel’s conduct in Gaza is already under legal scrutiny. Last November, the International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants for Netanyahu and former Defence Minister Yoav Gallant over alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity. Israel is also facing a genocide case at the International Court of Justice.
[Photo: Palestinians live in the oppressive heat inside their tents, deprived of basic necessities such as shelter, food, and clean water, struggle to survive in harsh living conditions in Gaza City, Gaza on August 14, 2025. Photojournalist: Mahmoud İssa/AA]
