52 Palestinians killed in Gaza from Israeli airstrikes, shootings near aid site
Deir al-Balah, Jul 12 (AP): Israeli airstrikes killed at least 28 Palestinians in the Gaza Strip including four children, while 24 others were fatally shot on their way to aid distribution sites, Palestinian hospital officials and witnesses said on Saturday.
The children and two women were among at least 13 people who were killed in Deir al-Balah, in central Gaza, after Israeli airstrikes pounded the area starting late Friday, officials in Al-Aqsa Martyr's Hospital said. Fifteen others died in Israeli airstrikes in Khan Younis, in southern Gaza, according to Nasser Hospital.
The military did not immediately respond to The Associated Press' request for comment on the civilian deaths.
At least 24 people were killed on their way to a food distribution site near Rafah run by an Israeli-backed American organisation, said hospital officials and witnesses, including those wounded. The Israeli military said it had fired warning shots toward people it said were behaving suspiciously to prevent them from approaching. It added it was not aware of any casualties from the incident.
The Gaza Humanitarian Foundation said no incident occurred near its sites.
Israel's offensive, sparked by Hamas' attack on October 7, 2023, has killed over 57,800 Palestinians, more than half of them women and children, according to Gaza's Health Ministry. The ministry, which is under Gaza's Hamas-run government, doesn't differentiate between civilians and combatants in its count. The UN and other international organisations see its figures as the most reliable statistics on war casualties.
US President Donald Trump has said that he is closing in on another ceasefire agreement that would see more hostages released and potentially wind down the war.
But after two days of talks this week with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu there were no signs of a breakthrough. Hamas continues to hold some 50 hostages, at least 20 of whom are believed to still be alive.
More killings near an American-run aid site
The Israeli military said it fired warning shots to disperse a group of people it believed were “posing a threat to the troops." The incident occurred in the Rafah area, hundreds of meters (yards) from the food distribution site, it said. The military said it was not aware of any casualties.
A GHF spokesperson, who spoke on condition of anonymity in line with the group's policies, said, “We checked with our extended team and this incident didn't happen near our sites.”
Witnesses there said they were on their way to the site seeking food and were shot at.
Abdullah al-Haddad said he was 200 meters (655 feet) away from an aid distribution site run by the GHF close to the Shakoush area, west of Rafah, when an Israeli tank started firing at crowds of Palestinians.
“We were together, and they shot us at once,” he said, writhing in pain from a leg wound at Nasser Hospital.
Mohammed Jamal al-Sahloo, another witness, said the Israeli military had ordered them to proceed to the site, when the shooting started.
Sumaya al-Sha'er's 17 year-old son, Nasir, was killed in the shooting near the site, hospital officials said.
“He said to me, Mom, you don't have flour and today I'll go and bring you flour, even if I die, I'll go and get it,'” she said. “But he never came back home.”
Up until then, she said she had prevented the teenager from going to GHF sites because she thought it was too dangerous. But with food supplies running out, she had no choice but to relent.
The GHF denies there has been any violence in or around its sites in the past. But two of its contractors told The Associated Press that their colleagues have fired live ammunition and stun grenades as Palestinians scramble for food, allegations denied by the foundation.
Witnesses, health officials and UN officials say hundreds have been killed by Israeli fire while heading toward the GHF distribution points through military zones off limits to independent media.
The military has acknowledged firing warning shots at Palestinians who it says approached its forces in a suspicious manner.
The UN and aid groups say they are struggling to distribute humanitarian aid because of continued Israeli military restrictions and a breakdown of law and order that has led to widespread looting.
Military operations in Gaza continue
The Israeli military said that over the past 48 hours, troops struck approximately 250 targets in the Gaza Strip, including fighters, booby-trapped structures, weapons storage facilities, anti-tank missile launch posts, sniper posts, tunnels and additional Hamas sites.
Also on Saturday, the Israeli military announced said there were strict restrictions along the Mediterranean coast, and called on fishermen, swimmers and divers from going to the sea.
Hamas-led group killed some 1,200 people in their October 7, 2023, attack on Israel and abducted 251. They still hold 50 hostages, less than half of them believed to be alive, after most of the rest were released in ceasefire agreements or other deals.
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Indian student dies after suffering severe injuries in house fire in US
New York (PTI): A 24-year-old Indian student in the US has died after suffering severe injuries in a house fire, according to the Indian mission here.
Sahaja Reddy Udumala was pursuing a Master’s degree in Albany, New York.
The Consulate General of India in New York said in a post on X on Friday (local time) that it is “deeply saddened by the untimely demise” of Udumala, who lost her life in the house fire incident in Albany.
“Our thoughts and heartfelt condolences to her family during this difficult time,” the Consulate said, adding that it is in touch with Udumala’s family and is extending all possible assistance.
The Albany Police Department said in a statement that its personnel and the Albany Fire Department responded to the house fire on the morning of December 4.
When they arrived at the scene, officers and firefighters found the residence fully engulfed in flames and learned that several individuals were still inside the home.
They were able to locate four adult victims inside the residence, who were treated on scene by emergency medical personnel before being transported to a hospital, where they are being treated for serious injuries.
Two of the victims were later transferred to a medical burn centre for further treatment.
“Tragically, the adult female victim succumbed to her injuries she sustained in the fire,” the police department said.
It did not release the victim’s name pending notification of kin but the deceased has been identified as Udumala by her family.
A fundraiser has been launched by Udumala’s cousin Rathna Gopu to help cover funeral and memorial expenses, repatriation and transportation arrangements, immediate family support and additional expenses resulting from the tragic accident.
“…our family experienced an unimaginable tragedy when our beloved cousin, Sahaja Udumala, passed away following a devastating fire accident.
"Sahaja was just 24 years old, a bright and hardworking student pursuing her Master’s degree in Albany, NY, with a future full of dreams, hope, and promise,” Gopu said on the fundraiser.
Gopu added that Udumala sustained severe burn injuries affecting nearly 90 per cent of her body.
“She struggled immensely, fighting with all the strength she had. Despite all medical efforts, her condition continued to worsen, and she ultimately experienced complete organ failure, leading to her passing this morning,” Gopu said, adding that Udumala was known for her kindness, determination, and the warmth she shared with everyone around her.
“Losing her so suddenly has left our family devastated and facing unexpected emotional and financial hardships.”
So far, over USD 109,000 have been raised through donations out of the total amount of USD 120,000.
