International condemnation mounts as Israeli attacks on aid seekers, food blockades, and famine-related deaths push Gaza further into humanitarian catastrophe.
Gaza’s humanitarian emergency has escalated to new depths, with at least 73 Palestinians killed in the past 24 hours, according to medical sources. Among the dead are 19 people gunned down while attempting to collect food near the Zikim crossing in northern Gaza. Two more, including six-year-old Jamal Fadi al-Najjar, succumbed to starvation, highlighting the deadly combination of military strikes and Israeli-imposed food shortages.
Eyewitnesses to the Zikim incident described scenes of chaos and terror. “There was gunfire all around; people were dying in front of us, bullets flying between our legs,” said Sayyid, a survivor. “A piece of bread can now cost your life.” Another, Mohammed Abu Nahl, recalled crawling on his stomach as bullets struck those around him. “I came here just to feed my children… What should I do? Steal? Loot?”
The killings bring the total number of aid seekers slain since late May to more than 1,838. Gaza’s Ministry of Health also reported that five more people died from famine in the last day alone, raising the total starvation-related death toll to 227—over 100 of them children.
The worsening conditions have sparked unprecedented denunciation from the European Union and 26 countries, including the United Kingdom, Canada, France, Australia, and Japan. “The humanitarian suffering in Gaza has reached unimaginable levels,” read their joint statement. “Famine is unfolding before our eyes… Aid should never be politicised.” They condemned the use of lethal force at food distribution sites and urged Israel to allow unrestricted humanitarian access.
Meanwhile, the World Health Organization has called on Israel to permit medical stockpiles in Gaza before a planned military takeover of Gaza City. Local civil defence teams report relentless bombardment, with homes destroyed by bombs, drones, and highly explosive munitions. Rescue workers have also come under attack, with 137 civil defence members killed since the start of the war.
Strikes have even hit designated “safe zones.” In al-Mawasi, a family of five was killed in their makeshift shelter during predawn hours. Gaza’s Government Media Office accuses Israel of blocking over 430 essential food items—including frozen meat, dairy, vegetables, and fruit—and targeting food infrastructure. It claims 44 food banks and 57 distribution centres have been bombed.
The war, now in its tenth month, has left 61,599 Palestinians dead and 154,088 wounded since October 7, 2023, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry. The Palestinian Ministry of Foreign Affairs blames the international community for failing to stop what it calls “the genocide of our people,” urging urgent action to uphold humanitarian law and end the siege.
As Gaza’s civilians face the dual threat of bombs and famine, the global pressure on Israel intensifies—but so too does the desperation on the ground.