The Hamas-run health ministry in Gaza has reported that seven more individuals have died from malnutrition in the past 24 hours.
According to the ministry, this brings the total number of malnutrition-related deaths since the onset of the Israel-Hamas conflict in 2023 to 154, including 89 children.
On Tuesday, UN-backed global food security experts issued a warning that the worst-case scenario of famine is “currently playing out” in Gaza.
While Israel maintains that it does not impose restrictions on aid entering Gaza, these claims are disputed by its European allies, the UN, and other organizations operating in the region.
Meanwhile, US special envoy Steve Witkoff is scheduled to travel to Israel on Thursday to discuss the escalating crisis.
This trip marks Witkoff’s first visit to Israel in nearly three months and follows the recent recall of delegations from both the US and Israel from ceasefire talks in Qatar. Washington has accused Hamas negotiators of not “acting in good faith.”
In a separate development, hospital sources in Gaza informed the BBC that six Palestinians were killed near a Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF) aid distribution center in the Rafah area of southern Gaza on Wednesday morning.
The sources reported that crowds had attempted to enter the distribution center shortly before its opening and were allegedly attacked by an Israeli tank.
The GHF has denied that any killings took place at or near its sites on Wednesday.
The Israel Defense Force (IDF) stated to the BBC that a “gathering of suspects” deemed to pose a threat to its troops were instructed to move away, and subsequently, the army fired “warning shots” at a distance of “hundreds of meters away” from the distribution center.
The military added that “an initial review suggests that the number of casualties reported does not align with the information held by the IDF.”
There have been frequent reports of deadly incidents near GHF aid sites, with Palestinians often accusing the Israeli military or security contractors of firing upon and killing aid seekers.
The IDF has disputed the reported death tolls.
In a statement released later on Wednesday, the Hamas-run health ministry stated that 103 people had been killed and one body recovered from the rubble in the preceding 24 hours. According to the statement, 60 of those killed were seeking aid.
Separately, the Palestine Red Crescent Society (PRCS) reported on Wednesday evening that two hospitals had received six bodies following an incident involving individuals waiting for humanitarian aid in the Zikim area.
The PRCS indicated that the hospitals were also treating 274 injured individuals from the same incident but provided no further details.
Sources have informed the BBC that only 109 lorries carrying aid entered Gaza on Tuesday. A significant portion of this aid was looted after crossing the border, failing to reach its intended destination.
In recurring scenes, vehicles transporting sacks of flour were overwhelmed by desperate crowds, with some securing supplies for their families and others intending to sell them.
The UN estimates that a minimum of 600 aid trucks are required daily to effectively address the escalating crisis in Gaza.
Israel imposed a complete blockade on aid deliveries at the beginning of March and resumed its military offensive against Hamas two weeks later, effectively collapsing a two-month ceasefire. Israel stated that its objective was to exert pressure on the group to release its remaining Israeli hostages.
Despite a partial easing of the blockade after nearly two months, prompted by warnings of an impending famine from global experts, shortages of food, medicine, and fuel have continued to worsen.
Israel initiated its offensive in Gaza in response to the Hamas-led attack on southern Israel on October 7, 2023, which resulted in the deaths of approximately 1,200 people and the abduction of 251 others.
According to Hamas-run health authorities, 60,138 people have been killed as a result of the Israeli military campaign.
In a separate development, Israel has reacted strongly to British Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer’s commitment to recognize a Palestinian state in September, contingent upon Israel meeting specific conditions, including agreeing to a ceasefire and reviving the prospect of a two-state solution.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated that the UK’s stance rewarded “Hamas’ monstrous terrorism.”
A British-Israeli woman who was held hostage by Hamas has asserted that Sir Keir is “not standing on the right side of history.” Emily Damari, who was released in January after being held by Hamas for more than 15 months, suggested that the prime minister “risks rewarding terror.”
Emily Damari argues that the prime minister’s plan for a Palestinian state places him “not on the right side of history.”
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and the Hostages Forum characterize the UK’s announcement as a “reward” for Hamas.
The government’s statehood policy represents a significant shift in the UK’s diplomatic position.
The government has declared its intention to recognize a Palestinian state unless Israel agrees to end the crisis.
Such a move would constitute a major departure from UK foreign policy.