Ten Palestinians, two of them children, have succumbed to starvation in the past day, according to health officials in Gaza, bringing the documented death toll from hunger to 313 individuals since the conflict escalated. A senior official from a major children’s charity described a haunting silence in medical facilities, noting that malnourished children no longer have the energy to cry.
The head of the Catholic Church issued a forceful appeal for an immediate end to hostilities, urging for a lasting truce and the unimpeded delivery of humanitarian assistance. He emphasized that international law explicitly forbids the collective punishment of civilian populations. His address was met with strong approval from attendees.
Aid organizations report that a UN-backed assessment has officially declared a famine is underway in the region. A representative from Save the Children provided a grim description to a UN council, explaining that as children starve, their bodies consume themselves, leading to a slow and painful death. She stated that the children are now so severely weakened that they lie emaciated and silent.
Despite these urgent appeals, military operations have intensified on the outskirts of Gaza City. Overnight, armored units moved into northern areas, destroying homes and causing further civilian displacement and injuries. The military stated these actions were aimed at dismantling militant infrastructure.
Authorities announced that at least 76 people were killed by military strikes across Gaza in the preceding 24-hour period.
The Israeli military has signaled its intention to proceed with a significant offensive in Gaza City, which it identifies as a primary militant stronghold. Officials have issued new directives for the evacuation of the area, which is now estimated to house approximately one million people. A military spokesperson stated that clearing the city is “inevitable” and indicated that designated zones in central and southern Gaza have been prepared to receive displaced individuals.
Humanitarian groups have raised alarms that such a large-scale forced displacement would violate international law and dramatically worsen the already catastrophic living conditions. Local church leaders in Gaza City have declared they will not evacuate, stating that for the many sick and malnourished people sheltering with them, being forced to move would be equivalent to a “death sentence.”
Meanwhile, diplomatic efforts to secure a ceasefire appear stalled. Mediators have expressed frustration, with one country involved in the talks stating that Israel currently shows no interest in reaching an agreement. Reports indicate that a recent US-backed proposal, which was accepted by Hamas, has not been formally addressed by the Israeli security cabinet.
Separately, US officials are reportedly preparing to host discussions concerning post-war governance and reconstruction plans for Gaza, with expectations that the conflict could be resolved before the year’s end.
