Fresh Israeli Strikes Leave 42 Dead in Gaza, Aid Shortages Worsen

Gaza: Heavy Israeli bombardments across the Gaza Strip on Sunday claimed the lives of at least 42 Palestinians, according to Gaza’s Civil Defence, adding to the mounting civilian toll in the conflict.

Civil Defence spokesperson Mahmoud Basal said the strikes hit multiple areas, including Gaza City, Khan Younis, and Deir al-Balah. Seven people were killed near the Baptist Hospital in Gaza City, while another died in shelling in the Zeitoun neighbourhood.

In Khan Younis, four displaced people sheltering in a tent were killed, and a wave of strikes across the city left 12 more dead. Two separate air raids in Deir al-Balah killed three others, Basal added. Meanwhile, 15 Palestinians were reported killed while waiting for aid in central and southern Gaza.

The Israeli military has not issued any statement on the reported incidents.

Since March 18, when Israel intensified its military campaign, more than 10,400 Palestinians have been killed and 43,845 injured, according to Gaza health authorities. Overall, since the conflict erupted in October 2023, the death toll has risen to 61,944, with more than 155,000 people wounded.

Adding to the crisis, health officials reported seven new deaths from starvation and malnutrition in the past 24 hours, including two children. This brought the total number of such deaths since October 2023 to 258, among them 110 children.

International efforts to deliver aid continue. On August 10, planes from Jordan, the UAE, Germany, Italy, France, the Netherlands, and Belgium dropped 93 tonnes of food and humanitarian supplies over Gaza. However, aid groups warn that deliveries remain far below what is required to address the deepening humanitarian emergency.