Elderly Palestinians as well as children are now dying of starvation in stricken Gaza as a trickle of aid enters the Strip and fresh horror hits Gaza since this morning with many ‘missing’
Dozens of Palestinians have begun dying of starvation in blockade-stricken Gaza as aid agencies demanded a race against time to save thousands more. At least 29 elderly people and children are among those who have starved to death, according to local health officials, providing emergency daily updates.
Fresh Gaza malnutrition horror emerged as more than 30 were killed within the Strip since dawn this morning – with a further 50 buried and feared dead in latest strikes. Worst hit was the city of Khan Younis , where Israel has launched a major assault to try and wipe out Hamas fighters after warning of an ‘unprecedented attack.’ The UN warns at least 14,000 Gazan children are now at risk of dying of hunger within Gaza as a trickle of aid has been allowed into the stricken enclave.
This week some 90 aid trucks were allowed into the Strip after a strict blockade besieged the 2.1 million population, banning any food, water and medication getting in. There are 9,000 aid trucks stuck at the border, with aid experts warning that the Strip now needs many more than 500 trucks-a-day to be allowed to enter in a bid to save lives.
Tommaso Della Longa, a spokesman for the Red Cross said of the aid trickle: “This is less than a drop in the ocean. “Even if some of the trucks entered Gaza that does not mean aid has reached the people. We need an operation of great scale and scope to get into Gaza.”
Israeli Prime Minister has laid into the UK, France and Canada, accusing leaders of “emboldening Hamas”, after they warned of ‘concrete actions’ against Israel. Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer joined the leaders of France and Canada in calling for a halt to Israel’s military offensive and an end to restrictions on humanitarian aid.
Sir Keir, Emmanuel Macron and Mark Carney condemned the Israeli government’s “egregious” actions in Gaza, warning the UK and allies will take “concrete actions” unless Mr Netanyahu changes course. In a post on X on Thursday evening, the Israeli prime minister said Hamas wants to “destroy the Jewish state” and “annihilate the Jewish people”.
He said: “I could never understand how this simple truth evades the leaders of France, Britain, Canada and others. “I say to President Macron, Prime Minister Carney and Prime Minister Starmer, when mass murderers, rapists, baby killers and kidnappers thank you, you’re on the wrong side of justice.”
It followed the killings of Israeli embassy workers Sarah Milgrim and Yaron Lischinsky in Washington DC and fears of an anti-semitic backlash. Downing Street said the Prime Minister “stands in solidarity with the Jewish community here in the UK”, adding the Government has offered its “full support to the Israeli embassy in London.”
The Prime Minister’s official spokesman added: “As you know, we continue to provide around £18 million a year in funding for protective security measures for Jewish community sites in the UK.” The Government’s approach towards Israel’s actions in Gaza will not change as a result of the killings, the spokesman indicated, but he said this “does not take away at all from the fact that antisemitism is an evil that must be stamped out wherever it appears”.
On Tuesday, the Government suspended trade deal talks with Israel, sanctioned West Bank settlers and summoned the country’s ambassador, while Foreign Secretary David Lammy described Israel’s actions as “monstrous”.
Britain has repeatedly voiced support for Israel’s right to defend itself against terror attacks. But Netanyahu is facing in creased pressure from within Israel too to end the fighting and enable the release of remaining Israeli hostages.
There are some 59 being held in the Strip although it is feared as few as 21 are still alive.