Israeli attacks kill 71 Palestinians in Gaza as famine worsens at alarming pace
Israel announces limited “humanitarian pauses” amid growing global outrage; aid blockade remain in place, children and elderly die of extreme hunger
GAZA CITY, Palestine (MNTV) — Israeli airstrikes and its continued blockade killed at least 71 Palestinians across Gaza in the last 24 hours, including 42 people who were attempting to reach food aid, as the territory faces an escalating starvation crisis.
Medical sources in Gaza confirmed that malnutrition-related deaths have risen to 127 since the start of the war, with 85 children among the victims.
Hospitals report that many patients are now dying solely due to hunger caused by Israel’s siege, which has cut off food, medicine, and fuel to the enclave.
Despite mounting international condemnation, Israeli authorities announced late Saturday that they would allegedly impose what they called “humanitarian pauses” in certain unspecified areas beginning Sunday, claiming the move would allow limited aid distribution.
The United Nations rejected Israel’s assertion that aid agencies are failing to deliver assistance, stating that Israeli restrictions—and a lack of security guarantees—are the primary barriers.
“The suggestion that the UN is not distributing aid is false,” said Philippe Lazzarini, head of the UN agency for Palestinian refugees (UNRWA). “What is needed is not air drops, but for Israel to lift the siege, open the crossings, and allow safe, consistent access.”
Aid airdrops continued on Saturday, including seven pallets of flour and basic supplies dropped by Israeli forces and the UAE.
However, humanitarian workers described the effort as “insufficient and dangerous,” noting that the amount equaled “less than half a single truckload.”
Meanwhile, Israeli strikes continued unabated. Six Palestinians were killed when a drone attack hit a tent camp in al-Mawasi, a zone Israel had previously designated as “safe.”
Gaza’s Civil Defense agency warned it would soon halt operations entirely due to fuel shortages and vehicle breakdowns.
“Without immediate international intervention to pressure Israel to allow fuel and spare parts into Gaza, we will be unable to save lives,” the agency said.
In a separate development, Israeli naval forces intercepted the humanitarian vessel Handala in international waters, seized its aid cargo—including baby formula, food, and medicine—and detained 21 civilians from 12 countries. The Freedom Flotilla Coalition, which organized the mission, condemned the action as “piracy and a grave violation of international maritime law.”
Since October 2023, Israel’s military campaign has killed at least 59,658 Palestinians and wounded more than 143,000, the majority women and children.
Entire neighborhoods have been flattened, over two million people displaced, and experts warn that Gaza now faces “one of the worst humanitarian crises in modern history.”
The International Criminal Court (ICC) has already issued arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant on charges of war crimes and crimes against humanity.
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