Two children and a 50-year-old woman were crushed to death outside a crowded bakery in Deir al-Balah, central Gaza, amid a growing food crisis, medical officials have confirmed.
They said the those killed suffocated due to overcrowding as desperate residents scrambled for bread at the al-Banna bakery.
The bodies were rushed to Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital, where doctors confirmed their deaths from suffocation caused by the tightly packed crowd.
The flow of food into Gaza has drastically decreased in recent months, with Israeli officials reporting that the amount of aid allowed into the territory has fallen to its lowest level in nearly 14 months of conflict.
Why is Gaza Facing Severe Food Shortages?
According to U.N. and aid groups, the population in Gaza—largely dependent on humanitarian aid—faces growing hunger and hardship.
Many bakeries there were temporarily shut last week due to a severe shortage of flour.
When they reopened, large crowds gathered, cramming into them to secure what little food was available.
Footage from Deir al-Balah showed people pushing and shouting in the desperate rush.
Throughout the ongoing conflict, many Gaza residents have relied on bakeries and charitable kitchens for at least one meal a day, but the scarcity of food and the perilous conditions continue to worsen.
Why Are Israeli Soldiers Targeting Residents in the West Bank?
The situation in Gaza has escalated since October 2023, when Hamas launched a large-scale attack on Israel, killing around 1,200 Israelis, taking 250 others hostage and prompting a devastating war that has killed more than 44,000 Gaza residents and wounded over 104,000, according to the territory's Health Ministry.
The fighting has resulted in widespread destruction, with nearly 2.3 million Palestinians displaced across Gaza.
Violence Continues in the West Bank
In another escalation, a shooting on Friday in an Israeli West Bank settlement injured eight people, according to Israel's rescue service.
The attacker opened fire at an Israeli bus near the settlement of Ariel, before being shot by Israeli forces.
Three of the injured were reported to be in critical condition.
The West Bank has seen increasing violence over the past 14 months, with tensions running high since the outbreak of war between Israel and Hamas.
Palestinian militants have targeted Israeli civilians and soldiers, while Israeli military operations in Palestinian towns have resulted in a rising death toll.
Since Oct. 7, 2023, Israeli forces have killed 796 Palestinians in the West Bank, mostly during raids aimed at dismantling militant groups, according to officials.
Additionally, attacks by Israeli settlers on Palestinian communities and their properties have surged there in recent months.
The continued violence in both Gaza and the West Bank underscores the ongoing instability in the region, as the conflict stretches into its second year.
This article contains additional reporting from The Associated Press
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