Israeli airstrikes in Gaza kill 65 more Palestinians; 2 die from starvation

In the past 24 hours, Israeli airstrikes have claimed the lives of 65 Palestinians in Gaza, including 14 members of the same family, according to the Gaza Ministry of Health. At least 205 others were injured in the latest wave of violence. Additionally, two more people, including a child, have died due to starvation amid the ongoing blockade.

Since the conflict began on October 7, 2023, the Ministry reports that Israeli attacks have resulted in the deaths of 64,803 Palestinians and injured over 164,000. The toll includes 2,465 civilians killed and nearly 18,000 wounded in a single drone strike and gunfire attack on May 27 at a humanitarian aid center supported by the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation.

Many victims remain trapped under rubble or stranded on blocked roads, preventing rescue teams from reaching them, raising concerns that the actual death toll may be higher.

The United Nations has declared Gaza a famine zone, with at least 413 deaths attributed to starvation, including 143 children. Since the UN’s declaration last month, 134 people, including 28 children, have succumbed to hunger. This dire situation follows Israel’s complete closure of Gaza’s border crossings on March 2, cutting off essential supplies to the enclave’s 2.4 million residents.

Qatar-based Al Jazeera, citing the Palestinian news agency WAFA, reports that of those killed on Friday, 48 died in northern Gaza City, while the remaining 17 were victims of shelling elsewhere in the territory.

The conflict began when Hamas launched attacks on October 7, 2023, killing 1,200 Israelis and taking 251 hostages. Currently, 48 Palestinians remain imprisoned in Gaza, with at least 20 believed to be alive. Israel continues its military campaign across Gaza, citing the rescue of these captives as its primary objective.

Despite a ceasefire declared on January 19, 2025, under international mediation, Israeli forces resumed military operations on March 18. Since then, the second phase of the conflict has resulted in over 12,000 Palestinian deaths and more than 52,000 injuries.