DEIR AL-BALAH, Gaza Strip (AP) — At least 60 people were reported killed by Israeli strikes across Gaza within a 24-hour period, according to Gaza's health ministry. This escalation in violence occurs as Israel continues its military offensive while allowing minimal aid to enter the strip, which is facing a severe humanitarian crisis.
The fatalities include 10 individuals in Khan Younis, four in Deir al-Balah, and nine in the Jabaliya refugee camp in northern Gaza. The bodies were taken to the Nasser, Al-Aqsa, and Al-Ahli hospitals. The Israeli strikes follow a day of attacks that included tanks and drones targeting a hospital in northern Gaza, causing extensive damage and igniting fires.
Israel is facing increasing international pressure regarding its military actions in Gaza, especially as humanitarian organizations warn that approximately 2 million residents are at a high risk of famine. Even the United States, a traditional ally of Israel, has expressed concerns about the hunger crisis emerging from the ongoing blockade that has lasted nearly three months.
Israel has stated that its military actions will persist until Hamas releases all 58 remaining Israeli hostages and disarms. It is estimated that less than half of the hostages believed to be in Gaza are currently alive, with many having been returned during ceasefire agreements or other negotiated deals.
In Washington, D.C., a suspect has been charged with murder following an incident where two Israeli Embassy staffers were shot while leaving a reception. The suspect reportedly claimed he carried out the act "for Palestine." In response, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu condemned the attack and criticized proposals from France, the UK, and Canada for establishing a Palestinian state, suggesting such demands would allow Hamas to maintain its power.
Under significant pressure, Israel has allowed some humanitarian aid to enter Gaza, with reports indicating that more than 100 trucks filled with flour, food, and medical supplies crossed through the Kerem Shalom border. However, United Nations agencies assert that this amount is grossly insufficient compared to the approximately 600 trucks needed daily to meet the basic needs of the population during the recent ceasefire.
The UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres criticized the aid effort, stating that what has been permitted thus far represents “a teaspoon of aid when a flood of assistance is required,” and pointed out that northern Gaza has received no supplies at all. The worsening conditions have driven many individuals to seek food at charity kitchens in Khan Younis, where desperate families are left holding empty pots and containers, hoping for a share of lentil soup.
Reports from Halima Abu Amra, a displaced woman from Rafah, reveal the dire scarcity of food, as she collects discarded bread to feed her wounded daughter. Humanitarian organizations like the World Food Program have also reported looting of aid trucks headed to bakeries, leading to rising insecurity and hunger among the population.
Israel argues that the current aid situation is a temporary measure until a new US-backed initiative is implemented. The Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, a newly established group, is expected to oversee aid distribution, claiming that armed private contractors will ensure the process is secure. However, the UN has rejected the foundation's proposal, asserting that it undermines international law and humanitarian principles.
On another front, ceasefire negotiations in Doha between Israel and Hamas appear stagnant, with gaps remaining that prevent any meaningful progress. Netanyahu has recalled his high-level negotiation team, suggesting disappointment with the talks thus far. Hamas accused Israel of misrepresenting its engagement in negotiations to the global public.
As violence continues, reports indicate that the ongoing war has resulted in more than 53,000 Palestinian casualties, primarily women and children. The humanitarian situation is further complicated by heightened tensions in both Gaza and the occupied West Bank, where acts of violence from Israeli settlers against Palestinians have also escalated, reflecting the overall deterioration in the region.
