Israeli strikes kill 29 Gazans awaiting aid, says Palestinian officials

Gaza: At least 29 Palestinians lost their lives in two separate Israeli attacks in the Gaza Strip on Thursday while waiting for aid, according to Gaza's health ministry.

In the first incident, eight individuals were killed in an airstrike on an aid distribution center in Al-Nuseirat camp in the central Gaza Strip, as confirmed by Palestinian health officials. Later, at least 21 people were killed and over 150 wounded by Israeli gunfire at a crowd awaiting aid trucks at a northern Gaza roundabout, Gaza’s health ministry reported.

Israel’s military denied attacking aid centers, dismissing the reports as "false" and urging the media to rely on "credible information."

The ongoing conflict in Gaza has displaced the majority of the 2.3 million population, leading to chaotic scenes and deadly incidents during aid distributions.

On Feb. 29, Palestinian health authorities reported over 100 Palestinians shot dead by Israeli forces as they awaited aid delivery near Gaza City. Israel attributed the deaths to crowds surrounding aid trucks, stating victims had been trampled or run over.

In another strike, an Israeli missile hit a house in Deir Al-Balah, killing nine people, according to Palestinian medics. Israeli aerial and ground bombardments persisted overnight across Gaza.

Efforts to reach a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas have thus far been unsuccessful.

Hamas recently presented mediators with a comprehensive vision of a truce deal, emphasizing the need to end Israeli aggression, provide relief and aid, facilitate the return of displaced Gazans, and withdraw Israeli forces.

Israel has called these "unrealistic demands."

As the conflict continues, the UN warns that a quarter of Gaza's population - about 576,000 people - are on the brink of famine.

Pressure mounts on Israel to allow more access for aid deliveries, though Israel denies obstructing such efforts, instead blaming aid agencies for delays and accusing Hamas of diverting aid.