Israeli Forces Kill 43 in Gaza on Eid Holidays; Amnesty Condemns Interception of Humanitarian Flotilla
On the last day of Eid al-Adha holidays, the Israeli army killed at least 43 Palestinians across the Gaza Strip, including eight near an aid distribution point in Rafah, Anadolu Agency reported. Gaza’s government accused the Israeli-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation of aiding Israel in targeting civilians. Additional casualties were reported in the Nuseirat refugee camp, Khan Younis, and Gaza City neighborhoods such as Shejaiya, al-Tuffah, and Al-Zaitoun. Israeli drone strikes killed women, children, and displaced civilians, notably in Khan Younis.
These attacks persist despite international calls for a ceasefire amid a brutal offensive that has claimed nearly 55,000 Palestinian lives since October 2023, predominantly women and children. The International Criminal Court has issued arrest warrants for Israeli officials over alleged war crimes, while Israel faces a genocide case at the International Court of Justice.
In a related development, Amnesty International condemned Israel’s interception and detention of the Gaza Freedom Flotilla’s Madleen boat crew, including activist Greta Thunberg, which attempted to break the blockade to deliver humanitarian aid. Amnesty’s Secretary General Agnès Callamard described the nighttime interception in international waters as a violation of international law and called for the immediate, unconditional release of the unarmed activists.
Callamard emphasized Israel’s responsibility as an occupying power to provide safe access to essential supplies in Gaza but criticized its ongoing blockade and attacks that exacerbate humanitarian suffering. She urged the international community to end its support for Israel’s policies and to demand the lifting of the blockade to allow aid into Gaza immediately.
According to reports, the aid ship Madleem, loaded with vital humanitarian supplies for Gaza, reached Israel’s port of Ashdod on Monday evening under military escort.
