Four Palestinians, including a child, were killed in Israeli military strikes across Gaza within a 24-hour period ending Thursday. The fatalities included a young girl shot near the Jabalia refugee camp in northern Gaza, a person struck in a vehicle in Gaza City’s Tal al-Hawa neighborhood, an individual on a bicycle in Khan Younis, and another person who succumbed to wounds from a prior Israeli strike. These incidents occurred as the Israeli military continues expanding territorial control within the enclave.
Nearly two-thirds of Gaza is currently under Israeli military control or subject to access restrictions, according to mapping data. The Gaza Health Ministry documented at least 1,538 Palestinian deaths and 5,498 injuries since a ceasefire commenced in October of last year, with the total Palestinian death toll since October 2023 exceeding 74,400. Approximately two million Palestinians remain in the shrinking territory, which contains thousands of tonnes of rubble and debris.
The military situation is accompanied by a severe humanitarian crisis centered on food scarcity. The Geneva-based Euro-Med Human Rights Monitor warned that Gaza faces imminent famine conditions, citing observations of depleted markets and sharply elevated food prices. The organization documented that Israeli authorities suspended commercial goods deliveries to Gaza on October 13, subsequently announcing a limited resumption of some imports on October 19, though restrictions remain substantial and fresh produce continues to be denied entry.
International relief efforts have simultaneously contracted due to funding constraints. The World Food Programme announced this week that severe budgetary shortfalls forced a one-third reduction in food assistance to Gaza, leaving approximately 500,000 vulnerable residents without monthly support as the winter season approaches. Local reporting from Gaza City described sudden marketplace emptiness, with families unable to access vegetables, fruits, meat, eggs, or bread, while prices for available items have increased substantially. The lack of electricity across the territory prevents households from refrigerating fresh provisions even when supplies become momentarily available.
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