Israeli Bombardment Leaves Over 150 Dead in Gaza in Just 24 Hours
Israeli airstrikes have intensified in the Gaza Strip, killing more than 150 Palestinians in a single day, according to local health authorities. Among the victims was Suleiman Al-Obaid, a former captain of Palestine’s national football team, who was reportedly shot while trying to obtain food.
This latest surge in violence has deepened the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, where food, water, and medical supplies remain critically scarce.
Former Football Captain Killed While Seeking Aid
Suleiman Al-Obaid, a well-known figure in Palestinian sports, lost his life while standing among a crowd waiting for food assistance. According to Qatari media reports, over 90 people were killed in that incident alone, which occurred near a distribution point for humanitarian aid.
Al-Obaid’s death has sent shockwaves through the Palestinian community and the world of sports. Once a symbol of national pride, his killing underscores the extent to which all segments of society are now vulnerable in the war-torn enclave.
Rising Toll on Palestinian Athletes and Civilians
According to the Palestinian Ministry of Sports, at least 662 athletes have been killed since the onset of the Israeli military campaign. This includes footballers, basketball players, and athletes from other disciplines. The figure highlights how Israel’s continued airstrikes are impacting not just civilian lives, but also key members of the cultural and sporting landscape.
The overall death toll in Gaza since the conflict began has crossed 30,000, according to the Gaza Health Ministry, with more than 70% of casualties reported to be women and children. For updated figures and broader context on Gaza’s humanitarian collapse, see Gaza Death Toll Surpasses 60,000 Amid Escalating Humanitarian Catastrophe.
Aid Convoys Targeted, More Casualties Reported
In another tragic incident, at least 20 Palestinians were killed when Israeli forces redirected humanitarian convoys to heavily bombed and damaged roads. One aid truck reportedly overturned, leaving civilians scrambling for food — only to be met with deadly force.
The Israeli military has faced increasing scrutiny over its handling of humanitarian operations. Reports of strikes on food lines, bakeries, and aid trucks have raised serious questions about adherence to international humanitarian law.
Severe Hunger and Malnutrition Gripping Gaza
The humanitarian crisis is worsening rapidly. According to the World Food Programme (WFP), 193 people, including 96 children, have died due to hunger-related causes in recent weeks. These deaths are not directly from military attacks but from severe food shortages and malnutrition, a consequence of restricted aid access and continuous bombardment.
WFP has issued multiple warnings, stating that a few aid trucks are “nowhere near enough” to address the scale of the crisis. The agency is now calling for what it terms an “aid flood” — a massive, coordinated humanitarian effort that can only be achieved through unimpeded access to Gaza.
International Outcry and Humanitarian Appeals
Human rights groups, international agencies, and several governments have condemned the rising civilian death toll and the targeting of aid efforts. The United Nations has repeatedly called for an immediate ceasefire and unhindered humanitarian access, but so far, no lasting truce has been agreed upon.
Meanwhile, the people of Gaza continue to suffer. Entire neighborhoods have been reduced to rubble, medical infrastructure is on the verge of collapse, and hundreds of thousands have been displaced.
With reports like these emerging daily, pressure is mounting on the global community to act decisively. For many in Gaza, time is running out.
