Mounting Civilian Toll, Water Crisis, and Press Freedom Concerns as Gaza Conflict Escalates
The United Nations Human Rights Office said Friday that at least 1,760 Palestinians have been killed since late May while seeking humanitarian aid in Gaza, underscoring the deteriorating civilian situation. Of those deaths, 994 occurred near humanitarian distribution sites and 766 along convoy routes, most reportedly caused by Israeli military fire. The figure marks a sharp rise from the 1,373 deaths recorded on August 1.
Israel maintains its operations aim to dismantle Hamas and rescue hostages, but warnings of famine, disease, and escalating civilian casualties have fueled international outcry. Gaza’s Health Ministry says more than 61,827 Palestinians have been killed since October 2023, when the conflict began after Hamas’s cross-border attack that left 1,219 dead in Israel.
Meanwhile, a severe water crisis has compounded Gaza’s humanitarian emergency. Displaced families in camps like Muwasi endure extreme summer heat with fewer than three liters of water per person per day — well below the 15 liters recommended for survival. Contaminated water has fueled the spread of infectious diseases, with UNRWA reporting over 10,000 cases weekly, largely diarrhea among children. Bombed infrastructure, fuel shortages, and damaged desalination plants have crippled supplies, forcing residents to drink brackish or polluted water. Aid groups warn the crisis is directly linked to rising deaths.
At the same time, press freedom groups have condemned Israel’s targeting of journalists. According to a +972 Magazine investigation, a secret Israeli military “legitimisation cell” sought to portray Palestinian reporters as Hamas fighters in order to justify attacks and mitigate international backlash. More than 180 journalists have been killed in Gaza since the war began, including Al Jazeera’s Anas al-Sharif, whose killing Israel attempted to justify with disputed claims of militant ties.
Separately, the UN rights office criticized Israel’s newly approved settlement expansion near East Jerusalem, calling it illegal under international law and warning it could amount to a war crime by forcing Palestinian displacement. The plan, backed by Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, threatens to fragment the West Bank further, eroding prospects for a two-state solution.
