Khan Younis, Gaza – As Israeli airstrikes intensify in Khan Younis, aid organizations are reporting a catastrophic decline in the availability of food for the region’s population, with children surviving on “less than a meal a day,” according to reports from aid groups on April 18, 2025. Approximately 95% of aid groups have suspended or cut their services due to relentless Israeli bombardment and blockade, exacerbating an already dire humanitarian crisis.
Airstrikes and Casualties
On April 18, reports indicate that Israeli air attacks on tents in Gaza have killed at least 35 Palestinians in the past 24 hours. Among the casualties, at least 10 members of the same family were killed in an Israeli army attack on a home in Khan Younis. These events follow an earlier Israeli airstrike on April 16 that targeted tents sheltering displaced Palestinians in the same area.
IDF Operations
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) reported striking over 40 terror targets throughout Gaza on April 16, destroying what they described as terror infrastructure. However, these military operations have had a devastating impact on the civilian population, with reports of 11 people, including two children, killed in a drone strike on the same day.
Regional Instability and Diplomatic Efforts
The situation in Gaza is further compounded by regional instability. While diplomatic efforts continue, with Syrian President meeting with the Iraqi Prime Minister in Doha on April 16, facilitated by the Emir of Qatar, these efforts seem distant from the immediate needs of Gazans facing starvation and displacement.
Grim Outlook
The ongoing conflict and the severe restrictions on aid delivery paint a grim picture for the future of Gaza, with aid groups expressing despair over their ability to provide even basic sustenance to the population. The international community faces increasing pressure to address the humanitarian crisis and find a path towards a sustainable resolution to the conflict.