Gaza is facing a very serious crisis. The Health Ministry in Gaza says five more people, including two children, died in the past 24 hours because of hunger and malnutrition. This makes the total deaths from hunger 322, including 121 children.
At the same time, Israeli attacks have killed at least 59 Palestinians in one day, including 23 people who were waiting for aid. Since October 7, 2023, Israel’s war on Gaza has killed more than 63,000 Palestinians and injured over 159,000. The situation is very painful for families who are left with no safe place to go.
Israel says it has started the first stages of a big offensive on Gaza City. The army declared the city a “combat zone” and stopped the short daily pauses that had allowed some aid to enter. People in Gaza City say the attacks are so strong that whole neighborhoods are destroyed, and black smoke covers the sky. Many civilians are trying to hide in the western part of the city, but even there they are under fire.
Turkey has reacted strongly to Israel’s war. Its foreign minister, Hakan Fidan, said Turkey will close its airspace to Israeli planes and cut all trade with Israel. He accused Israel of committing genocide in Gaza and warned that its attacks on Gaza, Lebanon, Yemen, Syria, and Iran threaten the whole region.
Meanwhile, in Israel, the body of hostage Ilan Weiss was found in Gaza. His family said they are heartbroken but glad to finally have his body returned after almost two years. Families of other captives are still calling for a ceasefire and negotiations to bring their loved ones home.
The humanitarian crisis continues, with children and aid seekers suffering the most.
-Peace News Desk