Six members of local committees and volunteers escorting a humanitarian aid convoy were killed in Israeli airstrikes early Friday in Deir al-Balah, central Gaza, according to the Gaza Media Office. The victims had been accompanying two trucks carrying urgent medical supplies when the attack occurred.

The office described the strikes as a “horrific massacre,” claiming Israeli forces launched eight separate attacks targeting those tasked with securing the safe delivery of aid. Several other volunteers remain unaccounted for amid continued bombardment in the area.

The Media Office accused Israeli forces of deliberately targeting aid workers to obstruct relief efforts, foster chaos, and prevent essential supplies from reaching civilians. It described the attack as a “full-fledged crime” and a clear violation of international humanitarian law and the Geneva Conventions.

Calling for immediate international intervention, the office urged the UN, humanitarian agencies, and civil society groups to act swiftly to halt what it called “organised crimes” and ensure the safety of aid workers and the uninterrupted flow of humanitarian assistance.