In brief
Seven more deaths from malnutrition have been reported in Gaza as the health ministry warns of worsening conditions amid the ongoing conflict.
Seven additional fatalities due to malnutrition have been recorded in Gaza over the last 24 hours, according to the Hamas-run health ministry. This brings the total number of malnutrition-related deaths since the commencement of the Israel-Hamas conflict in 2023 to 154, including 89 children. The World Food Program has warned of a catastrophic famine scenario currently impacting Gaza.The Israeli government claims it is not hindering the delivery of aid to the region; however, this assertion is contested by various international allies, including those from the UN and humanitarian organizations active on the ground. To assess the situation, U.S. Special Envoy Steve Witkoff is set to travel to Israel for discussions related to the humanitarian crisis.In a separate but related incident, Gaza hospital sources reported that six Palestinians lost their lives near a humanitarian aid distribution center operated by the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF) in Rafah on Wednesday morning. Eyewitnesses alleged that Israeli forces opened fire as crowds attempted to gather for aid distribution. However, GHF denied the reports of any casualties near its location.The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) refuted these death tolls, asserting that troops had issued warnings to a gathering deemed threatening and indicated that the firing had occurred at a significant distance from the aid site. The IDF's statements suggested discrepancies between reported casualties and their own intelligence.The humanitarian crisis in Gaza continues to escalate. The Hamas health ministry announced on Wednesday that 103 individuals were killed, including 60 who were apparently seeking aid. Since the beginning of March, Israel has imposed a full blockade on aid shipments and resumed military operations against Hamas, following the breakdown of a two-month ceasefire provoked by a Hamas-led attack in October that resulted in 1,200 Israeli deaths and numerous hostages taken.According to figures from Hamas-run health authorities, around 60,138 people have died since the start of the Israeli military campaign. The situation has also prompted political tensions, including backlash from Israel following British Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer's commitment to recognize a Palestinian state if Israel does not comply with specific conditions. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu condemned this stance, asserting it rewards terrorism. A former hostage released by Hamas cautioned that political concessions may not be in alignment with long-term peace objectives.
