Israeli attacks in Gaza kill over 62,000, 24 lakh face starvation

In the past 24 hours, Israeli attacks across Gaza have killed another 60 Palestinians and injured at least 226 more. In addition, five people, including two children, have died from forced hunger and malnutrition in the blockaded territory.

According to Qatar-based media Al Jazeera, citing Gaza’s Ministry of Health, Israel has intensified its military operations in densely populated residential areas in northern and southern Gaza, including airstrikes, drone attacks, and ground assaults. The country’s defense forces (IDF) are moving forward with plans to take full control of Gaza City, the largest city in the enclave.

Since Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced the forced relocation of Palestinians, the IDF’s attacks over the week have put the lives of one million residents in the city at risk. While many Gazans have fled their homes, others remain, fearing they will be targeted even if they leave.

The Gaza Ministry of Health reported that since the war began on October 7, 2023, the death toll has reached 62,004, with at least 156,230 injured. Meanwhile, 263 people, including 112 children, have died from hunger in the famine-stricken enclave. Many bodies and injured individuals still lie under rubble and on the streets, but ongoing attacks prevent rescue teams and ambulances from reaching them.

According to Turkey’s Anadolu news agency, as of Monday evening (August 18), 27 people were killed and over 281 injured while collecting humanitarian aid at Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF) centers. Since May 27, the total number of deaths at GHF centers due to Israeli gunfire has reached 1,965, with more than 14,701 injured. Among the victims, 1,651 were at U.S.-Israel-supported GHF centers, while the remaining 514 were killed along aid distribution routes.

The health ministry said that since Israel closed all Gaza border crossings on March 2, 24 million people—including 1.2 million children—are facing a severe famine-like situation.

Al-Shifa Hospital in western Gaza City reported that 13 people were killed at two GHF aid centers in central Gaza, six at a center in northwestern Zikim, and eight near Rafah due to Israeli gunfire. Several others were injured at a relief center on Wadi al-Salah Street in southern Gaza.

Health workers said Israeli forces killed eight more people in northern Gaza during drone and air strikes. In eastern Gaza City, three people, including a girl, were killed at a shelter for displaced persons in Daraj, and three more died at Bureij Refugee Camp in central Gaza. One fisherman was killed and his brother injured when Israeli forces opened fire on a boat in the western river area. Israeli forces also attacked a building opposite Al-Shifa Hospital, injuring civilians. In the Zaytoun and Sabra areas, artillery shells and airstrikes destroyed a building with a booby trap.

Meanwhile, the body of a woman killed in shelling at Nuseirat Refugee Camp in central Gaza was brought to Al-Awda Hospital, where several others were also reported injured.

On October 7, 2023, Hamas attacks killed 1,200 Israelis and took 251 hostages. Around 50 remain captive in Gaza, at least 20 of whom are believed to be alive. Israel is conducting military operations across Gaza, claiming the aim is to rescue these hostages.

Although a ceasefire was declared on January 19 this year under pressure from the U.S. and other mediators, the IDF resumed military operations on March 18. In this second phase, at least 10,460 Palestinians have been killed and 44,189 injured.