Israeli strikes and gunfire killed at least 33 Palestinians on Saturday, according to local hospitals, amid warnings that a famine is spreading in Gaza’s largest city. The recent attacks and an imminent military offensive put new pressure on Israel’s 22-month operation as diplomatic ceasefire efforts remain stalled.
Casualties and Military Actions
Strikes on tents sheltering displaced people in Khan Younis, southern Gaza, killed at least 17 people, more than half of whom were women and children. In northern Gaza, Israeli gunfire killed at least five aid-seekers near the Zikim crossing. An additional 11 people were killed in other attacks. The Israeli military stated it was unaware of a strike in Khan Younis and is investigating other incidents. Israel’s defense minister has warned that a new military operation in Gaza City could begin in the coming days.
Deepening Humanitarian Crisis
Aid groups have warned that starvation is spreading due to the war and restrictions on aid. According to the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification, nearly half a million people in Gaza—about one-fourth of the population—face “catastrophic hunger.” While some aid has been allowed in, aid groups say it is not nearly enough, and many people have been injured while trying to get food.
Political and Diplomatic Stalemate
Ceasefire efforts are currently on hold as mediators await Israel’s next steps. The article highlights several key positions:
- U.S. President Donald Trump expressed frustration with Hamas, suggesting the militant group is less interested in making deals with few hostages left alive. He also stated that a ground invasion could make the hostages “safer.”
- Hamas has said it would release hostages in exchange for an end to the war but rejects disarming without the creation of a Palestinian state.
- Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office has rejected the famine declaration as “an outright lie” and asserts that enough aid has been allowed to enter.
- Israeli protesters continued to rally for a deal to bring the hostages home, opposing their government’s far-right security minister, Itamar Ben-Gvir, who is a staunch opponent of such an agreement.
According to Gaza’s Health Ministry, at least 62,622 Palestinians have been killed in the war.
