Israel ordered new evacuations from parts of Gaza City on Tuesday due to ongoing resistance from Palestinian militants. A UNICEF-led study revealed that one in six children in the northern Gaza Strip are acutely malnourished. The territory has faced severe devastation, with Israel’s military offensive resulting in over 29,000 Palestinian deaths and widespread displacement. The offensive is set to expand to Rafah, where over half of Gaza’s population has sought refuge. Many now reside in overcrowded camps near the Egyptian border. The recent evacuation orders indicate persistent resistance in areas previously claimed to be cleared by the Israeli military.
The situation in Gaza City remains dire, with airstrikes and ground fighting continuing in eastern parts. Residents, like Ayman Abu Awad from the Zaytoun neighborhood, describe being trapped inside their homes. The Global Nutrition Cluster’s report highlights alarming conditions, with over 90% of young children experiencing severe food poverty and high rates of infectious diseases. Additionally, more than 80% of homes lack clean water, exacerbating the humanitarian crisis.
In Rafah, where most aid enters, acute malnutrition affects 5% of the population, compared to 15% in the isolated north. Before the conflict, the malnutrition rate was less than 1%. UNICEF warns of a potential surge in preventable child deaths if immediate action is not taken. The entire population of Gaza faces a food crisis, with a quarter at risk of starvation.
Despite Israel’s claims of not restricting humanitarian supplies, aid delivery within Gaza is severely hindered by road closures and ongoing fighting. The UN agency for Palestinian refugees accuses Israel of delaying a food shipment that could feed over a million people. Efforts to broker a ceasefire and secure the release of hostages have stalled, prolonging the months-long conflict.
Gaza’s Health Ministry reports over 29,000 Palestinian deaths and 69,000 injuries since the war’s start. Israel claims to have killed over 10,000 militants but provides no evidence. The civilian death toll is high, with Hamas blamed for fighting in residential areas. The toll on Gaza’s infrastructure is severe, with hospitals overwhelmed and less than half fully operational. Despite international efforts, there is no end in sight to the devastating conflict.
