JERUSALEM: Israel will permit a limited quantity of food shipments into Gaza for the first time in 10 weeks, following increasing international pressure and mounting fears of famine in the besieged enclave. This decision comes amid a harsh Israeli military offensive in Gaza, named Operation Gideon’s Chariot, which has involved extensive ground operations.
For over two months, Israel has imposed a total blockade on Gaza, halting deliveries of food, fuel, and medical supplies. Humanitarian organizations have warned of an imminent famine, with disturbing reports of severe malnutrition, particularly among children. In response, Israel has agreed to allow some food into the region, but will take measures to ensure that Hamas does not control the distribution of humanitarian aid.
The announcement of the limited food shipments coincides with continued Israeli airstrikes on Gaza, which targeted locations including Khan Younis, Beit Lahia, and Jabalia. According to the Hamas-run health ministry, at least 67 people were killed and 361 injured in the latest 24-hour period. The Gaza Civil Defence service also reported 22 fatalities and over 100 injuries from an overnight strike on the al-Mawasi displacement camp.
As Israel presses on with its military offensive, hospitals in Gaza are facing severe challenges. Several public hospitals, including those in northern Gaza, have been forced to close due to damage from airstrikes. The Indonesian Hospital in Beit Lahia was also hit by Israeli tank fire, with staff reporting no prior warning or evacuation orders. Israel has claimed that it was targeting Hamas infrastructure near the hospital but denied targeting medical facilities directly.
The ongoing conflict, which began in October 2023, has led to over 53,000 Palestinian deaths, the majority of them women and children. Israel faces allegations of war crimes and genocide in Gaza, with arrest warrants issued for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant.
