At least 82 Palestinians were killed overnight in Gaza, including 38 people shot or bombed while trying to access humanitarian aid, Gaza’s Health Ministry reported on Thursday. The fatalities highlight the growing desperation and chaos surrounding food distributions, as Israel intensifies its military campaign ahead of a possible ceasefire agreement with Hamas.

Civilians Killed While Waiting for Aid

Five Palestinians were killed near locations linked to the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF)—a controversial U.S.-Israeli-backed aid initiative—while 33 others were killed at other aid distribution points. Footage from previous weeks showed armed contractors firing live rounds to disperse crowds at GHF sites.

The latest toll also includes 15 people killed in Israeli airstrikes that hit tents in the Muwasi zone, a designated "safe" area for displaced civilians, and others killed at a school in Gaza City sheltering the homeless.

Rising Toll and Worsening Humanitarian Crisis

According to Gaza's Health Ministry, the death toll since the war began in October 2023 has exceeded 57,000, with over half of the victims being women and children. An additional 223 people are still missing but presumed dead. More than 90% of Gaza's 2.3 million residents have been displaced, often repeatedly.

The situation is dire, with aid convoys and distribution points becoming increasingly dangerous for civilians, many of whom are starving. The Health Ministry accused Israel of directly targeting civilians, though the Israeli military claims it is striking Hamas rocket launchers embedded in residential areas.

Ceasefire Talks Struggle to Gain Momentum

The surge in casualties comes as ceasefire negotiations enter a critical stage. U.S. President Donald Trump said this week that Israel had agreed to the terms of a 60-day truce, but Hamas has yet to respond definitively. The group insists on a full end to the war and the withdrawal of Israeli forces.

Israel blames Hamas for the high civilian toll, citing the group’s use of dense urban environments to launch attacks. Meanwhile, humanitarian agencies warn that without an immediate ceasefire and access to safe aid corridors, more civilians will die not just from bombs—but from hunger.