Israel kills nearly 60,000 Palestinians amid ongoing humanitarian crisis
- Since the start of the military conflict in October 2023, Israel has enforced a total blockade on Gaza, severely limiting food and humanitarian aid.
- Health officials report high rates of starvation, with 133 confirmed deaths, including children, as about one in three residents go days without food.
- Experts warn that without changes to aid access and the lifting of restrictions, the humanitarian crisis in Gaza will continue to worsen.
The humanitarian crisis in Gaza has deteriorated significantly due to ongoing military actions, which started in October 2023. Since then, around 60,000 Palestinians have lost their lives, and over 144,000 have been injured. The conflict erupted after a Hamas attack that resulted in the deaths of nearly 1,200 Israelis and the capture of 251 hostages. Following these events, Israel has implemented a total blockade on Gaza that has resulted in severe restrictions on food and humanitarian aid, allowing only a limited number of aid trucks to enter each day. Health officials have reported shocking deaths from starvation, including the tragic loss of two children within the past 24 hours, raising the total number of starvation-related deaths to 133. The World Food Programme highlighted the alarming fact that one in three people in Gaza has gone days without food, with approximately half a million experiencing famine-like conditions. Aid organizations describe the situation as catastrophic, warning that a quarter of the population is at risk of acute malnutrition. The United Nations has urged Israel to expedite the movement of aid through checkpoints, with officials stating that the crisis will not improve without significant changes. Families in Gaza are struggling to survive, with many becoming increasingly desperate. A UN official mentioned that the situation has led to Palestinians resembling "walking corpses." In an attempt to address the dire conditions, Jordan and the UAE have started airdropping aid to Gaza; however, experts argue that airdrops are insufficient and inefficient solutions to an escalating humanitarian disaster. The Israeli military has also intercepted aid ships in recent months, detaining international activists and preventing essential supplies from reaching those in dire need. Critics, including UN officials, have denounced the blockade as a manmade tragedy—the result of political decisions that neglect basic human rights. There is a consensus among health and humanitarian experts that the deepening starvation crisis can only be resolved through political will, emphasizing the need to lift the siege and ensure safe access and movement for aid into Gaza.