Israeli airstrikes and gunfire killed at least 33 Palestinians across Gaza on Saturday, including civilians seeking food or shelter, as famine deepens in Gaza City amid growing international pressure over Israel’s nearly two-year military offensive.
Gaza City, now the epicenter of hunger and humanitarian collapse, may soon face a new large-scale Israeli ground assault, Israel's defense minister warned.
Humanitarian agencies have long blamed the war — triggered by Hamas’ October 7, 2023 attack — along with prolonged Israeli restrictions on aid, for pushing Gaza to the brink of starvation. Israel has dismissed recent famine warnings as “false,” while ceasefire talks remain stalled pending Israel’s next move.
Women and Children Among the Dead in Tent Strikes
At least 17 people, more than half of them women and children, were killed in Israeli strikes on tents sheltering displaced families in southern Gaza’s Khan Younis, according to health officials and morgue records at Nasser Hospital.
"Awad, why did you leave me?" cried a small boy over his brother's body, wrapped in plastic. Another grieving woman, Hekmat Foujo, tearfully called for a ceasefire, saying, “We want to rest. Show us some mercy.”
In the north, at least five people were reportedly shot dead near the Zikim crossing — a key aid entry point — while trying to access food, according to medical staff at Sheikh Radwan field hospital. The Palestinian Journalists Syndicate said journalist Khaled al-Madhoun was killed while covering the incident and accused Israeli forces of targeting him. Palestine TV later confirmed his death.
Eleven more fatalities were reported across various locations by hospitals and the Palestinian Red Crescent.
Israel's military said it was unaware of any strike at the reported Khan Younis site and was reviewing the other incidents.
Aid Lines Marred by Chaos and Danger
AP journalists observed chaotic scenes along Gaza’s aid routes, with Israeli troops regularly firing near desperate civilians. The Israeli army claims it only fires warning shots when approached or threatened.
Thousands gathered near the Zikim crossing seeking food, but many — like Mohamed Saada — left empty-handed, citing massive crowds, violence, and vehicles running over people.
While some carried small sacks of food, others transported the wounded through rubble-strewn roads and stagnant water under sweltering heat exceeding 33°C (92°F).
A report by the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification on Friday warned that nearly 500,000 Gazans — a quarter of the population — are facing catastrophic hunger. The alert follows a months-long Israeli blockade, later eased slightly through U.S.-backed private aid efforts and airdrops. However, the UN says the aid is still insufficient.
Israel claims it has facilitated enough aid, blaming Hamas for failing to care for the hostages it holds.
Renewed Offensive in Gaza City Imminent
With ground forces already on the city’s edge, Israel is preparing for another major operation in Gaza City, where it claims Hamas still maintains tunnels and strongholds. The offensive could begin within days, despite the presence of hundreds of thousands of civilians.
Doctors Without Borders (MSF) reported a sharp rise in airstrikes and an influx of patients at clinics. Project coordinator Caroline Willemen said many residents are hesitant to flee again after repeated displacements, but fear staying could become deadly.
Hostage Concerns Cloud Military Plans
Families of Israeli hostages warned that any new ground invasion could jeopardize the lives of the 20 believed to still be alive. Another 30 are presumed dead.
At a rally in Tel Aviv, Yotam Cohen, brother of hostage Nimrod Cohen, said: “Anyone serious about bringing hostages home does not launch a ground assault on Gaza.”
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu recently said he had ordered officials to pursue hostage negotiations aligned with Israel’s terms. It remains unclear whether Israel will rejoin talks brokered by the U.S., Egypt, and Qatar after Hamas accepted a revised proposal from Arab mediators.
Hamas has stated it will only release hostages in exchange for ending the war and the establishment of a Palestinian state — a condition Israel rejects.
Former U.S. President Donald Trump criticized Hamas’ position on Friday, arguing that military action may be the only way to rescue any remaining hostages. “In some ways, they’re safer if you just go in hard and fast,” he said.
Rising Death Toll and Starvation
Gaza’s Health Ministry said the overall Palestinian death toll has reached at least 62,622, including those previously listed as missing but now confirmed dead by a judicial panel.
The number of deaths linked to malnutrition has risen to 281.
Protests Against Israeli Minister
Meanwhile, a small group of Israeli protesters confronted far-right National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir in Kfar Malal, north of Tel Aviv, demanding a resolution to the hostage crisis.
“We don’t want him in our village. Our message is to bring back the hostages,” said protester Boaz Levinstein.
Ben-Gvir, a key figure in Netanyahu’s coalition, strongly opposes any deal with Hamas — a stance many hostage families say blocks progress toward their loved ones' release.