Israel Intensifies Airstrikes on Gaza City Amid Growing Famine Crisis

Israeli military operations in Gaza City escalate, leading to urgent demands for increased humanitarian aid amid claims of starvation conditions in the region.

Gaza City has been subjected to relentless airstrikes as Israeli forces move closer to occupying the territory, according to the local Hamas-run civil defense agency. Spokesman Mahmud Bassal reported that residential neighborhoods, including Zeitoun and Sabra, have endured bombings and drone strikes for the past three days, resulting in significant destruction and hindering residents' ability to recover the injured and deceased.

In response to the escalating humanitarian crisis, the UK, European Union, Australia, Canada, and Japan have issued a joint statement emphasizing that "famine is unfolding in front of our eyes" and pressing for immediate actions to combat starvation in the region. The leaders called for "immediate, permanent and concrete steps" to facilitate the entry of necessary aid into Gaza. Israel, however, denies the existence of starvation conditions and blames UN agencies for their failure to effectively manage aid distribution.

The statement from the international coalition also demanded a halt to lethal actions near aid distribution points, highlighting that over 1,300 Palestinians have been killed in such circumstances, primarily at the hands of the Israeli military. The World Health Organization appealed to Israel on Tuesday for permission to stockpile medical supplies, citing a "catastrophic" health crisis that must be addressed before any potential occupation of Gaza City begins. Rik Peeperkorn, the WHO representative in Palestinian territories, lamented the insufficient pace of aid deliveries and underscored the urgent need for essential medical resources.

Israel’s war cabinet voted to move forward with plans to occupy Gaza City, a decision met with condemnation during an emergency meeting held by the UN Security Council. On Tuesday, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) stated that combat had entered a "new state." However, an explicit timetable for the military's entry has not been shared. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu indicated that the military has been tasked with dismantling the “two remaining Hamas strongholds” within Gaza City, outlining a three-step strategy to improve aid distribution that includes creating safe corridors and increasing air drops.

Amidst these developments, residents of Gaza City reported unyielding aerial bombardment. Majed al-Hosary, a Zeitoun resident, described the situation as increasingly dire, stating, "With every strike, the ground shakes. There are martyrs under the rubble that no one can reach because the shelling hasn't stopped." The Hamas-led health ministry recorded 100 deaths in hospitals across Gaza in the last 24 hours, with several lost lives attributed to malnutrition during this intensifying conflict.

Criticism of Israel has intensified over the ongoing conflict with Hamas that has now lasted 22 months, leading UN experts to warn of an impending famine in Gaza. This escalation has prompted members of an international coalition of former leaders, known as "The Elders," to characterize the situation in Gaza as "unfolding genocide" and accuse Israel of perpetuating famine among the local population. Following a visit to the Gaza border, Helen Clark and Mary Robinson stressed their conviction regarding the severe humanitarian disaster unfolding in the region.

In parallel, the recent targeted killing of five Al Jazeera journalists by the IDF in Gaza City has sparked international outrage, further highlighting the dangers faced by media personnel in conflict zones. Israel claims the attack targeted a notable figure associated with Hamas, yet media watchdogs criticize the lack of substantiating evidence. As the conflict unfolds, Israel has faced mounting civilian casualties, with the latest reports indicating at least 61,599 Palestinian deaths since the onset of hostilities.