Israeli military strikes killed at least 44 Palestinians on Friday, including 25 people awaiting food aid in central Gaza, as the United Nations warned of a growing water crisis and humanitarian collapse in the besieged enclave.

Food Aid Turns Fatal Again

According to Gaza’s health authorities, Israeli forces opened fire on civilians near the Netzarim corridor, where Palestinians had gathered to receive aid. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said they fired warning shots at suspected militants before launching an airstrike.

Meanwhile, 19 more Palestinians were reported killed in separate Israeli bombings, including 12 in a home in Deir al-Balah. Humanitarian groups and Hamas accused Israel of systematically targeting those seeking food—a claim Israel denies.

UN: Children Could Die of Thirst

UNICEF spokesperson James Elder warned from Geneva that Gaza is on the brink of a “man-made drought,” with only 40% of drinking water production facilities still functioning. “Children will begin to die of thirst,” he stated, adding that the number of malnourished children admitted for treatment has surged 50% in one month.

Over 500,000 people are estimated to be going hungry as Gaza’s food and water systems collapse.

GHF Accused of Worsening Chaos

The Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), a U.S.- and Israeli-backed aid group, has been criticized for its role in recent aid site massacres. Witnesses say the GHF's new nighttime distribution routes and lack of clear communication are drawing desperate civilians into conflict zones.

On Thursday, 70 people were killed in strikes across Gaza, including 12 near a GHF site. UNICEF accused GHF of “making a desperate situation worse.” GHF, however, denies any responsibility and blames Gaza’s health authorities for spreading “inaccurate information.”

Broader Toll of War

Since Israel launched its military campaign in response to the October 7, 2023 Hamas-led attack, nearly 55,700 Palestinians have been killed, according to the local health ministry. Nearly the entire population of Gaza has been displaced, and essential services have collapsed under the weight of the war.