JERUSALEM, Aug 15, 2025 (BSS/AFP) - The UN human rights office said Friday 
that at least 1,760 Palestinians had been killed while seeking aid in Gaza 
since late May, a jump of several hundred since its last published figure at 
the beginning of August.

"Since 27 May, and as of 13 August, we have recorded that at least 1,760 
Palestinians have been killed while seeking aid; 994 in the vicinity of GHF 
(Gaza Humanitarian Foundation) sites and 766 along the routes of supply 
convoys. Most of these killings were committed by the Israeli military," the 
agency's office for the Palestinian territories said in a statement.

That compares with a figure of 1,373 killed the office reported on August 1.

The update came as Gaza's civil defence agency said at least 23 people were 
killed by Israeli fire on Friday, including 12 who were waiting for 
humanitarian aid.

The Israeli military said it was looking into the reports when contacted by 
AFP for comment.

Media restrictions in Gaza and difficulties accessing swathes of the 
territory mean AFP is unable to independently verify the tolls and details 
provided by the civil defence agency and the Israeli military.

On Wednesday, the chief of staff of the Israeli military said plans had been 
approved for a new offensive in Gaza, aimed at defeating Hamas and freeing 
all the remaining hostages.

The military intends to take control of Gaza City and nearby refugee camps, 
some of the most densely populated parts of the territory, which has been 
devastated by more than 22 months of war.

In recent days, Gaza City residents have told AFP of more frequent air 
strikes targeting residential areas, while earlier this week Hamas denounced 
"aggressive" Israeli ground incursions in the area.

The Israeli government's plans to expand the war have sparked an 
international outcry as well as domestic opposition.

UN-backed experts have warned of widespread famine unfolding in the 
territory, where Israel has drastically curtailed the amount of humanitarian 
aid it allows in.

Hamas's October 2023 attack which triggered the war resulted in the deaths of 
1,219 people, according to an AFP tally based on official figures.

Israel's offensive has killed at least 61,776 Palestinians, according to 
figures from the health ministry in Hamas-run Gaza which the United Nations 
considers reliable.