Two Children Among 4 Palestinians Starved to Death in Gaza

Gaza’s Health Ministry has confirmed that two children among 4 Palestinians starved to death in Gaza within the past 24 hours. Officials said the deaths were caused by famine and malnutrition as the humanitarian crisis deepens in the besieged enclave.

The ministry announced that the overall death toll from hunger-related causes has now reached 317, including 121 children. This alarming figure highlights the severity of food shortages as Israel’s blockade and ongoing military operations continue.

Displaced Families Struggle in Deir el-Balah

Nizar Ayyash, the mayor of Deir el-Balah in central Gaza, warned that the city cannot accommodate any more displaced people. “There is not a single spot left to pitch tents,” he said, describing how the city has become overwhelmed with families fleeing Israeli advances in Gaza City.

According to Ayyash, the coast is overcrowded, the eastern side faces continuous bombardment, and the desalination plant struggles to provide water. He cautioned that the humanitarian situation could worsen rapidly if further forced displacement occurs. Thousands of families now live in overcrowded shelters with limited access to food, water, and medical care.

Israeli Settlers Storm Al-Aqsa Mosque Compound

Meanwhile, tensions escalated in occupied East Jerusalem as Israeli settlers stormed the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound. Reports from Wafa news agency stated that dozens of settlers entered the site under heavy police protection.

Local sources said the settlers performed provocative tours and engaged in Talmudic rituals within the courtyards, sparking anger among Palestinians. The incident adds to long-standing tensions over access and control of one of Islam’s holiest sites.

Widespread Destruction in Gaza Neighborhoods

Gaza’s civil defence reported that Israeli forces have demolished over 1,500 homes in the Zeitoun neighbourhood since the start of the ground offensive. High-resolution satellite imagery analyzed by Al Jazeera’s Sanad unit showed widespread destruction concentrated in Jabalia al-Balad, Jabalia refugee camp, Tal az-Zaatar, and surrounding areas.

The findings confirm that residential districts have borne the brunt of Israeli incursions since the resumption of the war on March 18. Entire families have been displaced, with thousands now living without permanent shelter.

Arrests Across the Occupied West Bank

In the occupied West Bank, Israeli forces launched raids at dawn, arresting 12 people. The Palestinian Prisoners’ Media Office (ASRA) said those targeted included journalists, social reform activists, and recently released prisoners.

The arrests come amid ongoing home invasions and increasing restrictions on Palestinian communities, adding to the broader atmosphere of fear and instability.

International Reactions Continue

International concern over Gaza’s humanitarian crisis is growing. Australian cricketer Usman Khawaja urged Prime Minister Anthony Albanese to “be a leader” after a personal meeting with him. Khawaja has been vocal about the suffering of Palestinians, calling for stronger action to address the crisis.

In the corporate sector, Microsoft confirmed it had terminated employees who staged a sit-in protest at the office of the company’s president. The workers were demanding the tech giant end its ties with Israel. A spokesperson said the dismissals followed “serious breaches of company policies and our code of conduct.”

Humanitarian Crisis Deepens

The deaths of two children among 4 Palestinians starved to death in Gaza underscore the urgency of international intervention. With 317 people, including 121 children, now confirmed dead from hunger, aid groups warn that time is running out.

The collapse of infrastructure, the destruction of homes, and the lack of basic necessities are forcing Gaza’s residents into a fight for survival. As displacement continues in places like Deir el-Balah and access to food remains nearly impossible, the enclave faces one of the gravest humanitarian crises in recent history.