As a result of a global outcry, more Palestinians are dying from malnutrition in Gaza as the Israeli military kills dozens of people there.
At least 71 people were killed in Israeli attacks on Saturday in Gaza, including 42 who were desperately seeking medical assistance, according to medical sources.
The Gazan government’s health ministry also reported that five more deaths have been linked to hunger as a result of the Israeli blockade, bringing the total death toll from malnutrition to 127 since the start of the war. 85 children are among the victims.
Israel announced late on Saturday that it would halt its assault on “in civilian centers and in humanitarian corridors to allow the distribution of aid supply” on Sunday as the world’s anger grew.
Which specific areas, specifically, would require a “humanitarian pause,” was left out of the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ definition.
The ministry also brought up the issue of the UN’s failure to distribute aid to Gaza, a claim that both the UN and numerous aid and rights organizations have refuted.
UN officials have disputed this Israeli claim, citing the lack of permits needed to distribute aid safely in the besieged enclave.
The effect of airdrops is “absolutely nothing.”
Israeli military claims to have flown international aid over Gaza. The United Arab Emirates, which has close economic and diplomatic ties to Israel, added that it will start “immediately” airdropping aid into Gaza.
However, humanitarian experts have warned since last year that airdrops pose a risk to ground users and cannot be used in place of secure land transportation for food and medical supplies.
Airdrops were deemed an expensive, ineffective “distraction” that would “not reverse the deepening starvation,” according to Philippe Lazzarini, the head of the UN agency for Palestinian refugees, UNRWA earlier on Saturday.
Lazzarini urged Israel to “lift the siege, open the gates,” “secure the movement of people in need,” and grant dignified access there.
Hani Mahmoud, an Al Jazeera reporter from Gaza City, raised concerns about the newly announced Israeli actions.
He claimed that there is “nothing to compare” to the effect of airdrops.
“We’re talking about seven pallets of aid that are stuffed full of flour and other basic necessities,” the statement read. According to Mahmoud, that’s almost the truckload of one truck, or the other half, entering the Gaza Strip from the crossings.
According to witnesses, the airdrops occurred close to a military-restricted area in northern Gaza, making it particularly challenging to retrieve them in the dark.
According to Mahmoud, Israel’s plan to start allowing for “humanitarian pauses” in Gaza starting on Sunday won’t significantly help with the starvation crisis.
Again, he said, “This is not a solution when we discuss reaching the point where this enforced starvation is no longer possible, and according to medical sources we spoke to earlier today, they have confirmed that we will be experiencing mass starvation mortality.”
Israel continues to bombard Gaza every day as hunger spreads.
In a Saturday Israeli drone attack on a tent camp in al-Mawasi near Khan Younis, at least six people were killed. Israel’s forces have been regularly launching deadly attacks on the area that it has designated as a safe zone.
The Civil Defense Agency in Gaza, however, has called on the international community to intervene after it claims that none of its vehicles will soon be unable to provide lifesaving services due to breakdown and fuel.
The Civil Defense stated in a statement that “we call for an urgent intervention to pressure the Israeli occupation authorities to allow the entry of fuel and repair parts for vehicles.”
Advocates have been calling for real consequences to ensure accountability and deter further Israeli abuses, despite some Western nations’ harsh words criticizing Israel’s policies in Gaza. Possible sanctions against Israel have been brought up.
Handala ship was taken hostage
The Israeli military raided a ship of international activists carrying baby formula, food, and medical supplies to Gaza shortly after making its announcement regarding airdrops.
19 activists on board the Handala vessel, according to a live stream, were being boarded and intercepted by Israeli soldiers. The aid ship was reportedly seized violently in international waters by the Freedom Flotilla Coalition, which was the organization.
The unarmed boat was carrying life-saving supplies when Israeli forces boarded it, the coalition said in a statement. In violation of international maritime law, the intercept took place in international waters outside of the territorial waters of Palestine off Gaza.
What will happen to the advocates remains to be seen. The activists were detained, interrogated, and then deported after Israel intercepted the Madleen aid ship, to which it was towed to an Israeli boat last month.
The international activists’ home countries should be protected by Ann Wright, a Freedom Flotilla Steering Committee member.
Protect innocent people from the outside world who are only receiving a small amount of medical and food aid as a sign of the international outcry against what Israel is doing, Wright said.
The Gaza Government Media Office referred to Handala’s intercept as a piracy crime.
