A Palestinian mourner cries during the funeral procession of people killed while waiting for aid.<\/p>\n
The Israeli<\/a> army has carried out over 26 massacres in less than 48 hours, killing more than 300 Palestinians across the Gaza Strip, the local Government Media Office said on Thursday.<\/p>\n According to the office, the latest attacks targeted densely populated areas, including shelters, displacement centres, leisure spaces, homes, markets, hospitals and aid distribution points.<\/p>\n “The majority of the martyrs are women and children \u2013 all unarmed civilians \u2013 reflecting the occupation\u2019s deliberate targeting of the most vulnerable groups,” the office said.<\/p>\n Since dawn on Thursday alone, at least 73 Palestinians have been killed in Israeli strikes across the besieged enclave, 33 of whom were seeking humanitarian aid, according to Al Jazeera<\/a>.<\/p>\n The Palestinian health ministry confirmed that 118 people were killed on Wednesday and 142 the day before.<\/p>\n Meanwhile, the Palestinian Ministry of Endowments and Religious Affairs warned on Wednesday that the more than 600-day war on Gaza has led to a critical shortage of burial space.<\/p>\n \u201cThe crisis is worsening due to the occupation\u2019s blockade on the entry of food, medicine, shrouds, construction materials, and other essentials needed for grave preparation,\u201d the ministry said in a statement.<\/p>\n \u201cThis is preventing martyrs from being honoured and buried in accordance with Islamic law.\u201d<\/p>\n The Israeli military has reportedly completely or partially destroyed over 40 cemeteries across the besieged strip, further contributing to the shrinking availability of burial space and the depletion of existing graveyards.<\/p>\n The ministry described a \u201csevere shortage\u201d of graves for both martyrs and other deceased individuals.<\/p>\n Forced displacement orders have also reduced available land for new cemeteries, resulting in bodies awaiting emergency burial being temporarily stored in hospitals, schoolyards and even homes.<\/p>\n There has also been a dramatic shortage of burial materials, particularly shrouds used in Islamic funeral rites.<\/p>\n Prices for these items have surged, with the cost of preparing a single grave now estimated at between 700 and 1,000 shekels (approximately $208 to $297).<\/p>\n The ministry has issued an urgent appeal to Arab and Islamic nations, international aid organisations and local initiatives to help provide essential burial supplies, including shrouds, construction materials and other equipment.<\/p>\n Dozens of those killed in recent days have been aid seekers, according to health officials.<\/p>\n Since late May, Israeli forces have killed at least 600 Palestinians queueing up for limited food distrubted by the controversial US and Israeli-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF).<\/p>\nUS guards shoot at aid seekers<\/strong><\/h2>\n