87 Palestinians killed in Israeli strikes in Gaza; UN warns of baby deaths

UN warns 14,000 infants could die within 48 hours as Israeli bombardment escalates; dozens killed in shelters, children among the dead, famine deepens under ongoing siege

GAZA, Palestine (MNTV) —A relentless wave of Israeli airstrikes has killed at least 87 Palestinians in Gaza since midnight, with 22 people—including many children—slaughtered in a single attack on a displacement shelter in Gaza City.

The Israeli military claims to have targeted over 100 sites in the last 24 hours, including what it called militant infrastructure. But on the ground, the strikes are ripping through homes, shelters, and hospitals—leaving civilian death and destruction in their wake.

Among the victims were three children from the Al-Suweisi family, killed when a missile struck their home in Shuja’iyya.

In northern Gaza’s Al-Saftawi neighbourhood, more civilians perished in their homes, while in central Gaza’s Deir al-Balah, another Israeli air raid killed two and wounded several. In a chilling turn, Israeli quadcopters reportedly attacked ambulances returning to Al-Awda Hospital after a mission to transport patients.

The Gaza Health Ministry reports over 53,573 Palestinians have been killed and 121,688 wounded since October 7, 2023, when Israel began its full-scale war on the besieged enclave.

As Israeli bombs rain down, the humanitarian situation in Gaza is now critical.

UN humanitarian chief Tom Fletcher has warned that up to 14,000 babies could die within the next 48 hours if urgently needed aid—especially baby food and nutritional supplies—continues to be blocked.

 “We have trucks lined up, ready to enter Gaza,” he said, “but they remain stuck at the borders as babies starve.”

A staggering 93% of Gaza’s children—approximately 930,000 minors—are now at risk of famine, according to the UN’s Integrated Food Security Phase Classification.

With access to food nearly non-existent, families are now consuming animal feed, expired flour, and flour mixed with sand. More than 57 children have already died of hunger since March.

In Khan Younis, another tragedy unfolded when an Israeli strike killed para-athlete Ahmed al-Dali, a paracyclist and father of four who had survived a missile strike in 2014 that took his leg.

“He was a symbol of resilience and sport,” said his cousin and Gaza Sunbirds teammate, Alaa al-Dali.

The violence is not only erasing lives but also entire communities. A strike on a school-turned-shelter in Gaza City’s Daraj neighbourhood left behind charred belongings and grieving survivors.

“What is our fault? What is the fault of the children?” cried Omar Ahel, who had been sheltering at the school.

In another case, an entire family of six—a man, his wife, and four children—was wiped out in an air raid on a displacement camp in Khan Younis.

The scenes outside the hospital were of horror and heartbreak, with relatives crying over the bodies of loved ones.

Over the past eight days alone, more than 500 Palestinians have died in escalating strikes across the Strip.

Philippe Lazzarini, head of the UN agency for Palestinian refugees (UNRWA), warned that the destruction could render Gaza uninhabitable for Palestinians.

“We might reach a point where Gaza is no longer a place where Palestinians can live,” he said.

The International Criminal Court (ICC) issued arrest warrants last November for Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant on charges of war crimes and crimes against humanity.

Simultaneously, Israel faces a genocide case at the International Court of Justice (ICJ).