Gaza in Crisis: Starvation and Airstrikes Claim Hundreds

Gaza is facing a worsening humanitarian crisis as the death toll mounts from both starvation and Israeli military attacks. According to Gaza’s Health Ministry, 13 Palestinians, including three children, have died from starvation and malnutrition over the past 24 hours, bringing the total hunger-related deaths to 361, with 130 of them children.

Medical sources reported to Al Jazeera that at least 105 Palestinians have been killed in Israeli attacks since dawn, including 53 in Gaza City. Among those killed are 32 aid seekers in central and southern Gaza. Gaza’s civil defence also confirmed the death of another journalist, Rasmi Salem, raising the total number of media workers killed in the Strip to 248.

Meanwhile, Israeli settlers have occupied a Palestinian-owned home in the Old City of Hebron, protected by the Israeli army, according to the Wafa news agency. The army reportedly sealed off surrounding streets as settlers moved into the property, owned by the Naser family.

French President Emmanuel Macron condemned Israel’s annexation attempts. Belgium recently announced its intention to formally recognise Palestinian statehood, though officials tied the move to conditions including the release of captives from Gaza and the exclusion of Hamas from Palestinian politics.

The United Nations reports that humanitarian access in Gaza remains severely restricted, with 12 out of 37 aid missions blocked by Israeli authorities in recent days.