Siege in Gaza continues to take lives, with 8 more deaths due to famine, and 25 killed in Israeli attacks within the territory

In the Gaza Strip, a humanitarian crisis continues to unfold, with devastating consequences for its people. Over the weekend, the region faced yet another wave of violence and loss.

On Saturday, at least 25 Palestinians were killed in Israeli attacks across the Gaza Strip. The attacks targeted various locations, including the Maghazi and Nuseirat refugee camps, where Israeli drones reportedly hit homes, causing multiple casualties.

Tragically, the violence claimed the lives of six children and an infant, as well as several others, in artillery fire that struck tents sheltering displaced families in the Asdaa area northwest of Khan Younis. Medical sources confirmed these reports.

The ongoing crisis has taken a severe toll on the civilian population, particularly children. Over the past 24 hours, eight Palestinians, including two children, died from malnutrition caused by the Israeli blockade in Gaza. heartbreaking, local health officials report that 114 of the deceased due to starvation are children.

Munir al-Bursh, the director general of Gaza's Health Ministry, has spoken out against the situation, stating that the famine is depriving children of their right to life. The ministry also claims that Israel's unilateral "Gaza Humanitarian Foundation" aid mechanism has turned distribution points into "death traps," with at least 2,060 people killed and over 15,000 wounded while waiting for aid since late May.

The total famine-related death toll in Gaza since the onset of the humanitarian crisis is now 281.

Israel is not unfamiliar with international scrutiny. The current Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, faces a warrant for his arrest issued by the International Criminal Court (ICC) on allegations including war crimes and crimes against humanity related to Israel's military operations in the Gaza Strip. Last November, similar warrants were issued for Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant.

Furthermore, Israel faces a genocide case at the International Court of Justice over its conduct in Gaza. Since October 2023, Israel has reportedly killed nearly 62,300 Palestinians in Gaza.

The military campaign in Gaza has had a devastating impact on the enclave, which faces a worsening famine alongside relentless bombardment. The situation continues to escalate, with two civilians waiting for aid being shot dead in separate incidents near Khan Younis and the Israeli-controlled Netzarim corridor.

As the crisis deepens, the international community must take action to alleviate the suffering of the people of Gaza and hold those responsible for the violence accountable.