At least 52 killed in Gaza amid Israeli strikes as UN demands ceasefire

Since the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation began its operation in late May, dozens of Palestinians have been killed while trying to reach the aid distribution points, according to Gaza's civil defence agency.

Israeli military operations across the Gaza Strip have resulted in at least 52 fatalities since early Thursday, according to medical sources cited by Al Jazeera.

The casualties occurred as the United Nations General Assembly approved a resolution calling for an immediate and unconditional ceasefire in the territory.

Al Jazeera's sources said that 26 of those killed were targeted by drone strikes while waiting in line for aid from the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), a relief initiative backed by the United States and Israel.

Gaza civil defence official Mohammed el-Mougher told AFP that al-Awda Hospital received around 10 bodies and approximately 200 injured individuals following an Israeli drone attack near an aid distribution site close to the Netzarim checkpoint in central Gaza. Al-Shifa Hospital in Gaza City reportedly received six more bodies from similar strikes on aid queues in the Netzarim and as-Sudaniya areas.

Since the GHF began distributing aid in late May, dozens of Palestinians have died while trying to access supplies, according to Gaza's civil defence agency. The GHF's distribution method has drawn criticism from the United Nations. Philippe Lazzarini, head of the UN agency for Palestinian refugees (UNRWA), described the system as ineffective and potentially dangerous. Writing on X, Lazzarini said, "This model will not address the deepening hunger. The dystopian 'Hunger Games' cannot become the new reality," calling instead for experienced humanitarian actors to be allowed to lead relief efforts.

In a separate incident, two people were reported killed by Israeli shelling in the Bir an-Naaja area west of Jabalia refugee camp in northern Gaza, according to a source at al-Shifa Hospital.

Meanwhile, Hamas condemned what it described as a deliberate Israeli move to cut communication infrastructure in Gaza, calling it an "aggressive step" in an ongoing "war of extermination." The group urged the international community to intervene to protect civilians and critical facilities.

The communications blackout has hampered humanitarian coordination. UNRWA confirmed it had lost contact with its staff in Gaza. Deputy UN spokesperson Farhan Haq said military activity had likely severed the last remaining internet cable into the territory, leaving emergency and humanitarian services disconnected.

These developments coincided with the UN General Assembly's adoption of a resolution demanding an immediate, unconditional, and permanent ceasefire. The resolution passed with broad support among the 193-member body, despite opposition from Israel, which labeled the measure a "politically motivated" and "counterproductive charade." A similar resolution was vetoed by the United States in the Security Council last week.

Reporting from UN headquarters, Al Jazeera's Gabriel Elizondo noted the resolution received two-thirds majority support, including backing from countries such as Germany, Austria, and Ukraine, which had previously abstained from similar votes. The resolution emphasized accountability, urging member states to take action to ensure respect for international humanitarian law.

While the resolution is non-binding, Elizondo said the vote adds diplomatic pressure on Israel by signaling widespread international concern. Palestinian UN envoy Riyad Mansour welcomed the resolution and called for its full implementation. "This is the heart of the resolution," he said, expressing gratitude to the countries that voted in favor, particularly Spain and others that supported the initiative.