Israeli air and artillery strikes across Gaza have killed at least 100 Palestinians since dawn on Wednesday, according to medical sources, with 61 deaths reported in Gaza City alone. The intensified bombardment in the north comes amid Israeli plans to seize Gaza City entirely.
Witnesses and health officials say dozens of civilians died while trying to collect food and aid. In one incident, Israeli fire killed 16 people near an aid point north of Rafah, while another strike on aid seekers in northern Gaza left 14 dead and 113 wounded.
The Gaza Health Ministry also reported eight deaths from starvation and malnutrition in the last 24 hours, including three children, bringing the total hunger-related death toll since October 2023 to 235 people, among them 106 children.
UN Condemns ‘War on Children’ and ‘Medicidal’ Attacks
Philippe Lazzarini, head of the UN Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA), called the situation “a war on children and childhood in Gaza,” citing more than 40,000 children killed or injured, at least 17,000 unaccompanied or separated, and one million traumatised and out of school.
UN human rights experts accused Israel of deliberately targeting Gaza’s healthcare system, describing it as “medicide” — the destruction of medical facilities and starvation of healthcare workers — which they said constitutes an act of genocide.
Ceasefire Talks in Cairo
A Hamas delegation arrived in Egypt on Wednesday for ceasefire talks aimed at halting the war, delivering aid, and easing the suffering of civilians. The group has signalled willingness to hand over governance of Gaza to a non-partisan committee but insists it will not disarm before a Palestinian state is established.
Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has vowed to continue the war until Hamas is “destroyed.”
Plans to Capture Gaza City
Israel’s security cabinet has approved an operational plan to take “complete control” of Gaza City, despite UN condemnation and warnings from hostage families that such a move could worsen the crisis. In recent days, the Zeitoun neighbourhood has been under relentless bombardment, with over 300 homes destroyed since Tuesday.
Civil Defence officials say entire families have been killed without warning as residential blocks were hit by high-explosive bombs. The military says it is increasing troop readiness and reserve recruitment for the next phase of operations.
Humanitarian Conditions Deteriorate
The Zikim crossing, the main aid entry point in northern Gaza, has become increasingly dangerous, with reports of deaths from Israeli fire and crowd crushes as people wait for scarce supplies.
While some aid trucks have been allowed in, Gaza-based reporters say the deliveries are minimal and do little to address widespread hunger and deprivation.
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