Gaza Blockade Causes Starvation, 57 Dead Reported

At least 57 Palestinians have died from hunger in the Gaza Strip. Most of the victims were children, elderly people, or those with chronic illnesses. These deaths followed 63 days of Israel’s complete blockade, which halted the entry of food and medical aid.

Gaza’s Government Media Office warned that the death toll could rise rapidly, as Israeli forces continue to block humanitarian supplies from crossing the border.

Israel Accused of Using Hunger as a Weapon

Gaza officials accuse Israel of turning food into a tool of war. “We strongly condemn Israel’s deliberate starvation tactics,” the Media Office stated. They urged the international community to pressure Israel into opening the crossings, especially at Rafah.

Food Scarcity Worsens Daily

Displaced residents describe a desperate struggle for survival. “Even finding one meal is a struggle,” said Ahmad al-Najjar from Gaza City. Community kitchens have shut down after running out of supplies.

At local markets, prices have soared. “If you have money, you might find something. But most people can’t afford anything,” al-Najjar said. Meanwhile, aid trucks remain idle at the border.

Hospitals Near Collapse

Medical care is collapsing across Gaza. Dr. Suhaib al-Hams, director of the Kuwaiti Hospital in Rafah, warned of an imminent shutdown. “We have lost more than 75% of our essential medicines. The remaining supplies will run out within a week,” he said.

He added that without immediate intervention, hospitals will stop functioning and patients will continue to die without treatment. He urged international organizations to open the borders and evacuate critical patients.

Israeli Jets Bomb Targets in Syria

Overnight, Israeli fighter jets bombed multiple targets in Syria. The military claimed to strike missile launchers and anti-aircraft artillery sites.

However, Syrian officials say the airstrikes killed two civilians and injured at least eight others. Damascus accused Israel of violating its sovereignty and escalating tensions without justification.

Settlers Threaten Palestinian Journalists

In the occupied West Bank, Israeli settlers harassed Palestinian journalists near the village of al-Mughayyir. Witnesses said the settlers blocked a journalist’s vehicle, demanded they leave, and threatened to shoot them.

Rights groups say Israeli forces have systematically targeted the media. They report that Israeli authorities are detaining 49 Palestinian journalists, while more than 200 have been killed or arrested since October 2023.

Airstrikes and Shootings Escalate Violence

Within the past 48 hours, Israeli airstrikes killed over 70 Palestinians across Gaza. Two women died in a raid on Khan Younis, and Israeli naval forces killed a fisherman off Gaza’s coast.

Israeli soldiers also shot and injured a 13-year-old boy in Zababdeh, a town south of Jenin in the West Bank. Emergency crews rushed him to a hospital, where he remains in stable condition.

Hamas Demands Regional Action

Hamas called on Arab and Muslim countries to intervene. In a statement, the group accused regional governments of failing to stop the killings and famine. They urged leaders to use their influence to pressure the United States and its allies into halting the assault on Gaza.

UN Condemns Attacks on Syria

UN envoy Geir Pedersen condemned Israel’s recent attacks in Syria. “These airstrikes must stop,” he said. “Israel must respect Syria’s sovereignty and stop endangering civilians.” He emphasized the importance of upholding international law.

Medical Expert Describes Deliberate Starvation

Dr. Mads Gilbert, a Norwegian doctor with decades of experience in Gaza, spoke to Al Jazeera about the worsening crisis. “This starvation didn’t start now,” he said. “Israel has restricted food into Gaza since 2006. This is strategic, not accidental.”

Gilbert urged the international community to act before more children die. “They are wasting away in front of us,” he said.

Analyst: Israeli Strategy Increases Risk

Israeli political analyst Ori Goldberg criticized the government’s recent military decisions. “If Israel expands its ground operation, it will sabotage any hope for a ceasefire,” he said.

He explained that even many Israelis doubt the government’s motives. “People believe this war isn’t about security anymore. They see it as a political maneuver,” Goldberg added.