Gaza is facing a dire humanitarian crisis as the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) has exhausted its food stocks, leaving families without essential aid. The depletion of resources has forced the shutdown of hot meal kitchens, a critical lifeline for vulnerable populations. This development coincides with heightened accusations of starvation, with a UN special rapporteur alleging that Israel is deliberately inflicting “man-made” and “politically motivated starvation” on Gaza.
Urgent Call for Aid and Escalating Conflict
The WFP is urgently calling for the opening of borders to allow aid to flow into the region. The current situation is exacerbated by ongoing conflict, with recent reports indicating intensified attacks across the Gaza Strip. Since dawn on Sunday, Israeli forces have reportedly killed at least 38 Palestinians, adding to the already staggering death toll of over 52,243 Palestinians, with 117,639 wounded since the conflict began 18 months ago. The Gaza Government Media Office estimates the death toll to be even higher, exceeding 61,700, presuming thousands missing under rubble are dead.
Efforts for Truce and Ongoing Military Actions
Efforts to secure a new truce between Israel and Hamas are underway, with mediator Qatar reporting some progress in the talks. However, military actions continue, with the al-Quds Brigades claiming to have launched a guided rocket at a building sheltering Israeli troops in Gaza City, and Hamas’s Qassam Brigades claiming to have targeted a tank and detonated an explosive device against Israeli soldiers. In a separate incident, Israeli forces carried out an air attack on the southern suburbs of Beirut, Lebanon, further escalating regional tensions.
Regional Tensions and West Bank Incident
The Israeli military also reported intercepting a drone heading towards the country from the east. While the source of the drone remains unspecified, Yemen’s Houthi rebels have previously launched missiles and drones at Israel. In the West Bank, Israeli forces shot a 16-year-old Palestinian boy during a raid in the town of Beit Fajjar. The current conflict, which began with the Hamas-led attacks on Israel on October 7, 2023, has resulted in an estimated 1,139 deaths in Israel and the capture of more than 200 people. A previous ceasefire collapsed in mid-March 2025, leading to intensified military activities and restricted humanitarian aid, culminating in the current crisis where the WFP’s food stocks in Gaza are completely depleted.
