LIVE BLOG: Israel Slaughters Scores of Aid Seekers as Witkoff Plans Tel Aviv Visit – Day 662

Israel committed horrific massacres in Gaza. (Photo: via QNN)

By Palestine Chronicle Staff  

The UNRWA chief says the “threshold of famine has been reached with widespread starvation and malnutrition” across Gaza.

Meanwhile, the National Council of Palestinian Tribes and Clans accused Israel of deceiving the international community by pretending to facilitate humanitarian aid to Gaza.

Since October 7, 2023, Israel has killed 60,034 and injured 145,870 others, the majority of whom are women and children, according to the Palestinian Ministry of Health in Gaza.

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Wed, Jul 30, 11:34 PM (Palestine Time)

93 Democrats Call for Investigation Into 'Gaza Relief Foundation'

US MEDIA: In a letter to Secretary of State Marco Rubio, 93 Democratic members of the US House of Representatives demanded an investigation into the Gaza Relief Foundation, citing its lack of humanitarian experience and unclear funding. They emphasized that delivering aid to Palestinians safely and effectively is both a moral obligation and a security imperative for Israel.

‘Amir Walked 12km to Get Food’ and Was Shot – US Mercenary on Gaza ‘Death Traps’

Wed, Jul 30, 11:34 PM (Palestine Time)

86 Palestinians Killed in Gaza Today, Including 71 Aid Seekers

PALESTINIAN MEDIA: 86 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli forces since dawn Wednesday, including 71 people who were waiting for humanitarian aid.

Wed, Jul 30, 11:34 PM (Palestine Time)

Emergency Services: Gaza City Hospitals Overwhelmed with Aid-Seeker Casualties

GAZA EMERGENCY SERVICES: Hospitals in Gaza City are overwhelmed with casualties from Israeli gunfire on civilians waiting for aid. Most victims were shot in the upper parts of their bodies.

Wed, Jul 30, 11:34 PM (Palestine Time)

37 Killed and 270 Wounded in Two Hours While Seeking Aid in Northern Gaza

AL-SHIFA MEDICAL COMPLEX DIRECTOR: In just two hours, 37 Palestinians were killed and over 270 wounded while trying to obtain humanitarian aid in northern Gaza. Medical staff reported an inability to save lives due to the total lack of medication, supplies, and functioning operating rooms.

Wed, Jul 30, 9:33 PM (Palestine Time)

73 Palestinians Killed in Gaza Today, Including 61 Aid Seekers

PALESTINIAN MEDIA: Seventy-three Palestinians were killed by Israeli fire across Gaza since dawn Wednesday, including 61 who were waiting to receive humanitarian aid.

Wed, Jul 30, 9:33 PM (Palestine Time)

Israeli Army Says It Intercepted Drone Launched from Yemen

ISRAELI ARMY: The Israeli military announced that its defense systems intercepted a drone launched from Yemen.

Wed, Jul 30, 9:33 PM (Palestine Time)

Gaza Health Ministry: 1,300 Killed in ‘Death Trap’ Aid Zones

AL-JAZEERA: The director-general of the Gaza Health Ministry said 1,300 Palestinians were killed by Israeli gunfire at aid distribution points. He described the distribution mechanism as a mass-murder system and invited US envoy Steven Witkoff to visit Al-Shifa Hospital to witness the disaster.

The Israel Lobby is Losing Its Influence Triggering a New Propaganda Strategy

Wed, Jul 30, 9:33 PM (Palestine Time)

US Official: Witkoff Heading to Israel Tomorrow

US MEDIA: US envoy Steven Witkoff will travel to Israel on Thursday to discuss the next steps in handling the Gaza situation.

Wed, Jul 30, 9:33 PM (Palestine Time)

25 Killed, 150 Injured at Aid Distribution Site in Northern Gaza

EMERGENCY SERVICES IN GAZA: Twenty-five Palestinians were killed and over 150 wounded by Israeli fire while waiting for aid in northern Gaza.

Wed, Jul 30, 9:33 PM (Palestine Time)

Hamas: Israeli Forces Continue Torturing Palestinian Prisoners

HAMAS STATEMENT: Hamas said Israeli authorities are intensifying torture and medical neglect of Palestinian prisoners. The group called the conditions in Israeli prisons inhumane and illegal, urging global protests and resistance efforts.

Wed, Jul 30, 9:33 PM (Palestine Time)

Shas and United Torah Judaism Support Deal to Recover Israeli Captives

ISRAEL’S CHANNEL 15: The ultra-Orthodox parties Shas and United Torah Judaism confirmed their support for a deal to secure the release of Israeli captives in Gaza and urged Netanyahu to pursue it with urgency.

Wed, Jul 30, 9:27 PM (Palestine Time)

Channel 12: Witkoff’s Visit Aims to Pressure Israel Into Finalizing Deal

CHANNEL 12: An Israeli official told Channel 12 that the real reason for US Middle East envoy Steven Witkoff’s visit to Israel is to pressure the Israeli government into concluding a deal with the Palestinian resistance.

Wed, Jul 30, 9:27 PM (Palestine Time)

Hamas: Israel Weaponized Food and Turned Aid Into Chaos

HAMAS: Hamas accused Israel of transforming food into a weapon of slow death and aid deliveries into tools of chaos and looting. The group said Gaza is facing catastrophic famine due to the ongoing siege and that most aid trucks are either looted or attacked under an Israeli-orchestrated strategy.

Wed, Jul 30, 6:15 PM (Palestine Time)

Belgian Prosecutor Refers Case of Two Israeli Soldiers to ICC

AL-JAZEERA: The Belgian Public Prosecutor has referred to the International Criminal Court a case involving two Israeli soldiers who were investigated in Belgium and have since left the country.

Wed, Jul 30, 6:15 PM (Palestine Time)

Israel Delivers Response to Hamas via Mediators

ISRAELI MEDIA: Channel 12 reported that an Israeli official confirmed that Tel Aviv has delivered a “significant document” to Hamas through mediators, in response to the movement’s latest position on a proposed deal.

Wed, Jul 30, 4:57 PM (Palestine Time)

22 Killed in Gaza, Including 15 Aid Seekers Shot by Israeli Forces

PALESTINIAN MEDIA: 22 Palestinians were killed by Israeli forces across Gaza since this morning, including 15 who were attempting to collect humanitarian aid.

Wed, Jul 30, 4:57 PM (Palestine Time)

Death Toll from Rafah Aid Center Massacre Rises to 30

PALESTINIAN MEDIA: The number of Palestinians killed near an aid distribution center in Rafah has risen to 30 following an Israeli attack, hospital sources confirmed.

Wed, Jul 30, 4:57 PM (Palestine Time)

Palestinian Prisoner Dies in Israeli Custody, Bringing Death Toll to 75

PRISONER MEDIA OFFICE: Sael Abu Nasr from Gaza has died in Israeli detention, raising the number of Palestinian prisoners who have died in Israeli jails since the beginning of the genocide in Gaza to 75.

Belgium Refers War Crimes Complaints of Israeli Soldiers to ICC

Wed, Jul 30, 4:57 PM (Palestine Time)

UNRWA Adviser: Real Famine in Gaza, a Man-Made Catastrophe

AL-JAZEERA: A senior adviser for UNRWA said Gaza is experiencing a genuine famine, which he described as a man-made disaster. He called for safe humanitarian corridors and accused Israel of obstructing aid. UNRWA can operate 400 distribution points if access is granted, but most aid fails to reach the population.

Wed, Jul 30, 4:57 PM (Palestine Time)

Gaza Emergency Committee: Reports of Hundreds of Aid Trucks are False

CENTRAL EMERGENCY COMMITTEE IN GAZA: The committee denied Egyptian claims of large-scale aid entry, saying official data do not match what is observed. They demanded the Rafah crossing be opened unconditionally and criticized Egypt’s restrictive and humiliating coordination procedures.

Wed, Jul 30, 4:57 PM (Palestine Time)

WHO: Continuous Aid Flow to Gaza is Critical

WHO DIRECTOR-GENERAL: The World Health Organization emphasized the massive medical needs in Gaza and urged for sustained, unhindered aid deliveries to the territory.

Wed, Jul 30, 1:35 PM (Palestine Time)

Gaza Health Ministry: Famine Death Toll Rises to 154, Including 89 Children

GAZA HEALTH MINISTRY: The Ministry of Health in Gaza announced that the number of deaths due to famine has increased to 154, including 89 children.

Wed, Jul 30, 1:35 PM (Palestine Time)

Israel Threatens to Halt Aid Airdrops over Footage of Gaza Destruction

HAARETZ: The Israeli military has barred air force units involved in airdrops from allowing journalists to film the destruction in Gaza. Israel also warned it may suspend the airdrop operations altogether if footage of the devastation is released.

Wed, Jul 30, 1:35 PM (Palestine Time)

Lapid Calls for Dismissal of Israeli Heritage Minister over Captives Remarks

ISRAELI MEDIA: Opposition leader Yair Lapid demanded the dismissal of the Heritage Minister after the latter proposed abandoning hostages in Gaza and even suggested a nuclear strike. Lapid said the comments damage Israel’s security, foreign relations, and internal unity.

Wed, Jul 30, 1:35 PM (Palestine Time)

WFP: 75% of Gaza Population Facing Emergency Hunger Levels

WORLD FOOD PROGRAMME: The World Food Programme warned that time is running out for a comprehensive humanitarian response in Gaza. One in three people goes days without food, and 75% of the population is facing emergency levels of hunger. Around 25% are living in famine-like conditions.

Wed, Jul 30, 1:35 PM (Palestine Time)

Israeli Minister: Gaza Hostages Are Prisoners of War, Not a Current Priority

ISRAELI MEDIA: The Heritage Minister called for Israeli captives in Gaza to be classified as prisoners of war, asserting that their release should be dealt with only after the war ends and is not a current priority.

Wed, Jul 30, 11:45 AM (Palestine Time)

16 Palestinians Killed in Gaza Since Morning, Including Aid Seekers

THE GUARDIAN: The Board of Deputies of British Jews, the largest Jewish organization in the UK, said current steps to allow limited aid into Gaza were long overdue. It called for an immediate and unrestricted increase in aid deliveries through all available channels.

Wed, Jul 30, 11:45 AM (Palestine Time)

Al-Qassam Brigade Targets Israeli Military Vehicles in Khan Yunis

AL-QASSAM BRIGADES: The group said it detonated three explosive devices inside a gathering of Israeli military vehicles south of Khan Yunis two days ago, causing deaths and injuries among the soldiers.

Wed, Jul 30, 11:45 AM (Palestine Time)

Malta to Recognize Palestinian State at UN General Assembly

MALTESE PRIME MINISTER: Malta announced it will recognize the State of Palestine during the upcoming UN General Assembly session in September.

Wed, Jul 30, 11:45 AM (Palestine Time)

China Opposes Israeli Escalation in Gaza

CHINESE FOREIGN MINISTRY: China expressed its opposition to Israel’s military escalation in Gaza and voiced concern over the worsening humanitarian disaster in the besieged enclave.

Wed, Jul 30, 11:45 AM (Palestine Time)

3 Killed, 20 Injured Near Aid Center in Rafah

GAZA EMERGENCY SERVICES: Three Palestinians were killed and over 20 injured by Israeli forces near an aid distribution center in northern Rafah, southern Gaza.

Wed, Jul 30, 11:45 AM (Palestine Time)

Two Palestinians Killed Near Netzarim Axis

AL-AWDA HOSPITAL: Two Palestinians waiting for aid were shot and killed by Israeli forces near the Netzarim axis in central Gaza.

Wed, Jul 30, 11:45 AM (Palestine Time)

Israeli Shelling and Drone Attacks in Central and Northern Gaza

PALESTINIAN SOURCES: Israeli forces fired illumination shells and artillery rounds around the Al-Mufti area north of Nuseirat in central Gaza. Gunfire and a robot explosion were also reported east of Gaza City and Jabalia in the northern part of the Strip.

Wed, Jul 30, 11:45 AM (Palestine Time)

Trump: Gaza Food Centers to Open Soon

DONALD TRUMP: Trump said he spoke with Netanyahu about food distribution in Gaza and that food centers will open soon. He added that opinions vary on relocating Gaza’s population and denied discussing Palestinian statehood recognition with the UK.

Wed, Jul 30, 11:45 AM (Palestine Time)

Canada May Recognize Palestine if War Continues

CANADIAN MEDIA: Citing a government source, Canadian outlets reported that Canada is considering recognizing the State of Palestine if Israel refuses to halt its war on Gaza.

Wed, Jul 30, 11:45 AM (Palestine Time)

Israeli Forces Raid Mourning Tent of Slain Palestinian Activist

WAFA: Israeli forces stormed the mourning tent of Odeh Al-Hathalin in Khirbet Umm al-Khair near Yatta, Hebron, declared the area a closed military zone, assaulted mourners, and arrested two foreign activists. Human rights workers and local activists were barred from entering the area in what was seen as an escalation targeting Bedouin communities in Masafer Yatta.

Wed, Jul 30, 1:36 AM (Palestine Time)

UK Prime Minister’s Office: Starmer Reaffirms Firm Support for Israel

UK PRIME MINISTER’S OFFICE: Keir Starmer reaffirmed to Benjamin Netanyahu Britain’s unwavering support for Israel and its right to defend itself.

Conditional Recognition: UK to Recognize Palestine unless Israel Agrees to Ceasefire

Wed, Jul 30, 1:36 AM (Palestine Time)

UK MP Jeremy Corbyn: Time to Get Tough on Israel

AL-JAZEERA: No country should be exporting weapons to a state committing genocide. Israel has been granted a veto to do whatever it wants. It is time for everyone to get tough with Israel. Britain should loudly declare that it will recognize the State of Palestine.

Wed, Jul 30, 1:36 AM (Palestine Time)

Israel Considers Alternatives after End of “Gideon’s Chariots” Operation

ISRAELI MEDIA: The Israeli security establishment is studying alternatives following the end of the “Gideon’s Chariots” operation, which failed to make any breakthroughs on the prisoner issue. O

Wed, Jul 30, 12:14 AM (Palestine Time)

Washington Calls UN Meeting on Two-State Solution a 'Slap in the Face' to October 7 Victims

AL-JAZEERA: The US State Department has sharply criticized a recent meeting in New York concerning the two-state solution, calling it a slap in the face to the victims of October 7th.

The State Department affirmed that the US would not participate in “this insult.”

Regarding the humanitarian situation, the US acknowledged that ‘aid is still insufficient’ and stated its focus remains on increasing aid, achieving a ceasefire, and ending the bloodshed.

UN Conference on Palestine Opens amid Gaza Genocide, Starvation

Tue, Jul 29, 11:33 PM (Palestine Time)

Netherlands Declares Israeli Ministers Persona Non Grata over ‘Ethnic Cleansing’ Rhetoric

THE PALESTINE CHRONICLE: The Netherlands has declared Israeli ministers Ben-Gvir and Smotrich persona non grata over calls for ethnic cleansing and incitement against Palestinians.

Netherlands Declares Israeli Ministers Persona Non Grata over ‘Ethnic Cleansing’ Rhetoric

Tue, Jul 29, 11:31 PM (Palestine Time)

Odeh Hadhalin, Activist from ‘No Other Land’, Shot Dead by Illegal Israeli Settler

THE PALESTINE CHRONICLE: In video footage of the incident, a settler by the name of Yinon Levi – previously placed under international sanctions for extreme violence – is seen wielding a gun at Palestinian villagers.

Odeh Hadhalin, Activist from ‘No Other Land’, Shot Dead by Illegal Israeli Settler

Tue, Jul 29, 11:29 PM (Palestine Time)

Lapid: Extreme Government Trying to Push Annexation of Northern Gaza

ISRAELI MEDIA: Yair Lapid, the head of Israel’s opposition, has accused the current “extreme government” of attempting to normalize the idea of annexing the northern Gaza Strip.

Lapid warned of the financial implications of such a move, stating that annexing northern Gaza would mean Israeli funds would be diverted to educate Gaza’s children, treat its residents, repair its roads, and supply it with water and electricity.

He presented an alternative to annexation and its consequences: ending the war, returning the captives, withdrawing from Gaza, and handing over its administration to Egypt.

Tue, Jul 29, 11:25 PM (Palestine Time)

Ansarallah Claims Attack on Ben Gurion Airport with Hypersonic Missile

STATEMENT: Yahya Saree, the military spokesperson for Ansarallah, announced that their forces carried out a “qualitative military operation” targeting Lod Airport (Ben Gurion Airport) in the occupied Jaffa area.

Saree stated that the attack on Lod Airport was conducted with a hypersonic ballistic missile called “Palestine 2.”

He said that the operation caused “millions of Zionists to head to shelters and led to the halt of airport traffic.”

Saree concluded by asserting that Ansarallah will continue its operations in support of the “oppressed and starving people of our Palestinian nation.”

Tue, Jul 29, 11:22 PM (Palestine Time)

83 Killed in Gaza Since Dawn

PALESTINIAN MEDIA: Sources in Gaza hospitals have reported that 83 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli occupation army fire since dawn today. Among the victims, 33 were individuals seeking aid.

Israeli NGOs Conclude Israel is Committing Genocide in Gaza