60 Killed in Gaza Strikes, Netanyahu Confirms Recovery of Two Hostages' Bodies

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At least 60 Palestinians were killed by Israeli gunfire and airstrikes in Gaza on Wednesday, with most casualties occurring near an aid site run by the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, supported by the US and Israel. This site is centrally located in the enclave, according to local health officials.

Medical staff at Shifa and Al-Quds hospitals reported that at least 25 individuals lost their lives and several others were injured as they neared a food distribution center close to the former Jewish settlement of Netzarim in the early hours.

The Israeli military, engaged in a conflict with Hamas militants since October 2023, stated its forces fired warning shots during the night at a group of suspects who posed a threat to the troops near the Netzarim Corridor.

“Despite warnings that this is an active combat zone, the IDF acknowledges reports of injuries; the specifics are being examined,” the statement read.

Later on Wednesday, health officials at Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis reported that at least 14 people were killed by Israeli gunfire as they neared another GHF location in Rafah.

The foundation said it was unaware of Wednesday’s incidents but added that it was working closely with Israeli authorities to ensure safe passage routes are maintained, and that it was essential for Palestinians to closely follow instructions.

In a statement, GHF said it distributed 2.5 million meals on Wednesday, the largest single-day delivery since it began operations, bringing to more than 16 million the number of meals provided since its operations started in late May.

Gaza’s health ministry says that since then, 163 Palestinians had been killed and over 1,000 wounded trying to obtain the food boxes.

The United Nations has condemned the killings and has refused to supply aid via the foundation, which uses private contractors with Israeli military backup in what they say is a breach of humanitarian standards.

The Gaza health ministry also noted that at least 11 others died from separate Israeli attacks across the territory on Wednesday.

Palestinians carry bags containing food and humanitarian aid packages in Rafah. Source: AAP / AP / Abdel Kareem Hana

Bodies of two hostages recovered in Gaza

Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Wednesday that the bodies of two hostages had been recovered from Gaza by the military and the domestic intelligence agency, the Shin Bet.

Netanyahu said in a statement that the body of hostage Yair Yaakov had been retrieved, along with that of another hostage whose identity has not been cleared for publication.

The Israeli military said militants from the Palestinian group Islamic Jihad abducted and killed Yaakov during the Hamas-led October 7 attack on southern Israel in 2023.

Militants also took Yaakov’s partner, Meirav Tal, and two of his children, Or and Yagil, hostage but later released them, the military said. Yaakov was 59 at the time of his death.

The military announced it had informed the family of a second hostage after recovering their body, stating that the bodies were obtained in the Khan Younis area of southern Gaza.

A man wearing a blue and white striped shirt, smiling.

An undated photo of Israeli hostage Yair Yaakov. Israel says it has recovered the remains of Yaakov and one other person. Source: AAP / AP

There are 53 hostages still being held in Gaza, with fewer than half believed to be alive.

The latest recovery brings to five the number of hostage bodies retrieved by Israeli forces so far this month.

Hamas and other militants from Gaza abducted 251 people during the 2023 attack, in which about 1,200 people in Israel were killed.

Israel’s retaliatory war against Hamas in Gaza has killed nearly 55,000 Palestinians, according to Gaza health authorities, and flattened much of the densely populated strip, which is home to more than two million people.

Most of the population is displaced and malnutrition is widespread.