Israeli attacks kill 130 in Gaza, 18 die from starvation

At least 130 Palestinians have been killed and 495 injured in continued Israeli assaults across Gaza, according to reports. Among the dead, 73 were reportedly seeking food at aid centers operated by the US-Israel-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF). In addition, 18 more people have died from famine in the besieged enclave.

Since Hamas launched a surprise attack on October 7, 2023, the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) have been conducting relentless operations in Gaza. According to the latest figures from Gaza’s Health Ministry, over the past 21 months of conflict, 58,895 people have been killed and 140,980 injured.

The ministry also reported that, as of the last 24 hours, 18 more people have died from starvation, bringing the total number of hunger-related deaths in Gaza to 86—76 of whom were children and 10 adults—since the Israeli blockade began.

In a statement on Telegram, Gaza’s Health Ministry described the level of hunger and malnutrition in the enclave as a form of “silent genocide,” holding Israeli occupation forces and the international community responsible. It has called for the immediate reopening of Gaza’s border crossings to allow the entry of food and medicine.

Qatar-based media outlet Al Jazeera reported that Israeli airstrikes, drone attacks, and ground assaults killed 46 people and injured 295 overnight on Saturday (July 18), and another 84 people were killed and over 200 injured throughout Sunday (July 19). The main targets appear to be GHF’s four operational aid centers and makeshift shelters housing displaced Palestinians.

At the Zikim crossing in northern Gaza, Israeli forces opened fire on Palestinians gathered near a food distribution center, killing at least 30 and injuring 20. The bodies and wounded were taken to Al-Shifa Hospital.

Al Jazeera reported that of those who had gone to Zikim seeking aid, only one returned with a bag of flour. Around 30 others were brought back in animal carts—either dead or critically injured.

In another attack near an aid center in Beit Lahiya, northern Gaza, 19 people were killed and 55 wounded by Israeli gunfire. Five more were killed near an aid center north of Rafah in southern Gaza, and another 19 died in the western part of Deir al-Balah in central Gaza.

Reporting from Deir al-Balah, Al Jazeera noted that GHF is currently operating only four food distribution centers. Those attempting to collect essential aid packages are being shot, making Israeli attacks on aid seekers a common occurrence.

According to the Health Ministry, more than 986 Palestinians have been killed since May 27 while waiting for food at distribution points—most near GHF aid sites.

Juliette Touma, Director of Communications for UNRWA (the UN agency for Palestinian refugees), said last week that “6,000 aid trucks” are currently stalled at the Egyptian and Jordanian borders. She warned that if food deliveries are not permitted soon, Gaza will run out of supplies.

The agency has warned that Israel is “starving civilians” in Gaza, including one million children, amid its ongoing blockade preventing the delivery of crucial humanitarian aid. It has called on Israel to lift the blockade and allow the agency to deliver food and medicine into Gaza.

Meanwhile, in a bid to break the Israeli blockade, an aid ship named Handala has set sail from the port of Gallipoli in southern Italy toward Gaza. Organized by the Freedom Flotilla Coalition, the mission—titled “For the Children of Gaza”—is transporting food, medical supplies, and other aid items aboard a rebuilt 1968 Norwegian fishing vessel.

On October 7, 2023, Hamas’ surprise attack resulted in the deaths of 1,200 Israelis and the capture of 251 hostages. In response, Israel launched a large-scale military campaign across Gaza.

Although a ceasefire was declared on January 19, 2025, under pressure from the US and other mediators, the IDF resumed its offensive on March 18. Since the second phase began, 8,068 more Palestinians have been killed and 28,939 injured.

It is believed that of the original 251 hostages taken by Hamas, at least 35 are still alive. The IDF has stated that operations to rescue them will continue.