Israel kills more than 80 in Gaza as anger grows over worsening hunger crisis
At least 14 people have died from malnutrition in the past 24 hours across Gaza, according to health authorities
At least 14 Palestinians, including two children, have died from hunger and malnutrition in Gaza, according to local health authorities, as U.S. President Donald Trump acknowledged signs of “real starvation” in the besieged enclave.
The latest fatalities bring the total number of deaths due to malnutrition since Israel launched its war on Gaza in October 2023 to 147, including 88 children, the Gaza Health Ministry reported on Monday. Most of these deaths have occurred in recent weeks as the humanitarian situation has sharply deteriorated due to severe Israeli restrictions on aid entry.
Israel imposed a full blockade on Gaza in March, which was partially eased in May. However, only limited aid has since been allowed in, despite repeated warnings from the United Nations and aid agencies of an imminent famine.
“Walking Corpses”
Philippe Lazzarini, head of UNRWA, the UN agency for Palestinian refugees, said on Monday that staff in Gaza describe people as “neither dead nor alive walking corpses” due to extreme hunger. Speaking at a UN conference on the conflict, he warned that expressions of “outrage and condemnation” are no longer sufficient and called for immediate international action.
“There must be an immediate ceasefire, a reversal of the starvation crisis, and the release of all hostages,” Lazzarini stated. “Once a ceasefire is in place, UNRWA’s extensive workforce can facilitate a massive scale-up in humanitarian aid.”
Trump vs. Netanyahu
Also on Monday, President Trump, speaking from Scotland, said, “Many people are starving in Gaza,” and asserted that “Israel bears significant responsibility” for the situation. He promised to establish food centers with “no fences or boundaries” and announced plans to coordinate international efforts to provide food and sanitation aid.
Trump’s comments stand in contrast to those of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who claimed a day earlier that “there is no starvation in Gaza.” On Monday, however, Netanyahu conceded in a post on X that the situation in Gaza is “difficult” and pledged cooperation with international partners to facilitate humanitarian aid.
Humanitarian Pauses Lacking Oversight
Following pressure, Israel’s military announced it would temporarily pause attacks in specific areas and open new corridors to improve aid flow. While the move was welcomed by the UN, humanitarian officials said the measure is inadequate.
Al Jazeera’s Tareq Abu Azzoum, reporting from Deir el-Balah, reported that Israel’s so-called “humanitarian pauses” are limited, uncoordinated with aid agencies, and often last only a few hours.
Infants at Risk
A severe shortage of baby formula has become another life threatening crisis. On Monday, 14 more deaths from starvation were reported, including a baby named Muhammad Ibrahim Adas, who died due to lack of formula, according to a medical source at al Shifa Hospital.
Gaza’s Government Media Office warned that more than 40,000 infants under one year of age are at risk of slow death, as Israel has allegedly blocked baby formula shipments for 150 consecutive days. The office called for the urgent and unconditional opening of all crossings and immediate delivery of aid.
Desperation on the Ground
As limited aid trucks entered Gaza via the Karem Abu Salem crossing and Zikim road in the north, desperate Palestinians swarmed the vehicles to seize whatever food was available.
“When asked why they raided the trucks, people said they couldn’t afford to wait. Their children were starving, and this was their only option,” A journalist Hind Khoudary reported.
Aid Still “a Drop in the Ocean”
Despite the Israeli move to allow more aid, the UN cautioned that current supplies fall far short of actual needs. Tom Fletcher, the UN’s humanitarian chief, said logistical challenges, closed crossings, visa rejections, and security risks continue to hamper operations.
“This is a step forward, but we need vastly more aid and unrestricted access,” Fletcher said. “Right now, what we’re delivering is just a drop in the ocean.”
Continuing Assaults
Meanwhile, Israeli military operations continue across Gaza. On Monday, at least 88 Palestinians were killed, including 40 individuals waiting for aid, according to medical sources.
More than 1,000 Palestinians seeking assistance have reportedly been killed near distribution sites run by the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), an entity backed by the U.S. and Israel. The GHF has been widely criticized by the UN and aid groups for failing to ensure sufficient aid delivery and for inadequate security at its distribution points.
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