Israel has announced it will allow a “basic amount of food” into Gaza to prevent a starvation crisis after maintaining a blockade on the territory for 10 weeks.
The decision, made on the recommendation of the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF), aims to support Israel’s renewed military offensive against Hamas, officials said.
The announcement came shortly after Israel’s military declared it had launched “extensive ground operations” throughout Gaza, intensifying the conflict. During the blockade, no food, fuel, or medicines had been permitted into Gaza, leading to mounting fears of famine among its 2.1 million residents.
Aid groups have warned about severe malnutrition, particularly among children, with harrowing reports and footage emerging from the territory. French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot urged Israel to allow the “immediate, massive and unhampered” resumption of humanitarian aid.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office stated the limited food supplies are intended to ensure no starvation crisis develops, which could jeopardize Israel’s military campaign, dubbed Operation Gideon’s Chariot. The government also pledged to prevent Hamas from controlling humanitarian aid distribution.
The intensified fighting has taken a heavy toll. The Hamas-run Gaza health ministry reported at least 67 deaths and 361 injuries in the last 24 hours alone. Strikes have hit cities including Khan Younis and northern areas like Beit Lahia and Jabalia refugee camp.
A woman in Khan Younis described “very difficult” conditions marked by severe shortages of flour, gas, and food amid ongoing bombing. Meanwhile, Gaza’s civil defense said the al-Mawasi camp, previously considered a safe zone, suffered an attack killing 22 people and injuring 100.
The Israeli military issued a broad evacuation order, warning of strikes on any areas used to launch rockets and urging residents to move west to designated shelters in al-Mawasi.
Three public hospitals in northern Gaza are now out of service due to airstrikes. Medical staff at the Indonesian Hospital in Beit Lahia reported tank fire near the facility, with 55 people inside, including patients and medical workers. No evacuation warnings were given before the attack.
Israel insists its forces are targeting “terrorist infrastructure sites” near hospitals but has faced accusations from Gaza’s health ministry of besieging medical facilities and cutting off access.
Meanwhile, ceasefire negotiations continue in Qatar between Israel and Hamas, with no significant breakthroughs reported. Netanyahu’s office says any deal must include the release of all hostages, exile of Hamas militants, and Gaza’s disarmament.
Hamas demands a comprehensive ceasefire in exchange for releasing all hostages, rejecting partial agreements. The group has proposed exchanging hostages for Palestinian prisoners, a full Israeli withdrawal, and humanitarian aid access.
The ongoing conflict began with Hamas’s October 7, 2023, attacks on southern Israel, killing approximately 1,200 people and taking more than 250 hostages. More than 53,000 Palestinians have died in Israel’s military campaign since March.
The humanitarian crisis deepens as hostages’ families express concern about worsening conditions for captives amid continued strikes.
Erizia Rubyjeana
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